Opinion ID: 195508
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Admission of 404(b) Evidence at Trial

Text: 19 Next, Tuesta contends that it was reversible error to admit the Martinez testimony to rebut Tuesta's mere presence defense. These evidentiary rulings normally are reviewed for abuse of discretion. United States v. Figueroa, 976 F.2d 1446, 1454 (1st Cir.1992), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 113 S.Ct. 1346, 122 L.Ed.2d 728 (1993). As Tuesta made no contemporaneous objection, however, we review for plain error, id. at 1453, and will reverse only if the error seriously affect[ed] the fundamental fairness and basic integrity of the proceedings, United States v. Carty, 993 F.2d 1005, 1012 n. 9 (1st Cir.1993). 20 A Rule 404(b) proffer must undergo a two-step inquiry: 21 First, under the absolute bar of Rule 404(b), the evidence is inadmissible if relevant solely to show the defendant's character or propensity for criminal conduct; it must have some special relevance to a material issue such as motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan or knowledge. Second, under Rule 403, the trial court must satisfy itself that the probative value of the evidence is not substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion or undue delay. 22 Id. at 1011 (citations omitted). The district court admitted the Martinez testimony relating to prior drug deals with Tuesta for the limited purpose of refuting Tuesta's mere presence defense that he was at the drug scene by mistake. Fed.R.Evid. 404(b) (evidence admissible to prove, inter alia, knowledge, intent, absence of mistake); Carty, 993 F.2d at 1011 (prior drug-dealing evidence admitted where defendant raised mere presence defense); United States v. Agudelo, 988 F.2d 285, 287 (1st Cir.1993) (same). Further, after the district court ruled that the probative value of the evidence outweighed any danger of unfair prejudice, Fed.R.Evid. 403, it minimized the potential for prejudice with a contemporaneous limiting instruction, which it reiterated in the final charge. See Tejeda, 974 F.2d at 214. We discern no error, plain or otherwise. 23