Opinion ID: 683810
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Ward

Text: 41
42 Ward argues he was denied a fair trial by the government's use of hearsay statements to prove a conspiracy. Before the hearsay statements of co-conspirators can be used, the defendant's participation in the conspiracy must be established, United States v. Vinson, 606 F.2d 149, 152 (6th Cir.1979), cert denied, 444 U.S. 1074 (1980), by a preponderance of the evidence. Bourjaily v. United States, 483 U.S. 171, 175 (1987); United States v. Enright, 579 F.2d 980, 986 (6th Cir, 1978). 43 A co-conspirator's statements are properly admitted if the government establishes the conspiracy with non-hearsay evidence. Vinson, 606 F.2d at 153. In the instant case, the government supplied ample non-hearsay evidence to make a prima facie showing of a conspiracy. Craig testified that he witnessed a drug deal between Ward and Dunn. Following Craig's testimony, Spencer provided first hand testimony about Ward's participation in Dunn's drug conspiracy. He testified about bringing Dunn over to Ward's home to provide him with the money to purchase drugs in Florida. He also testified to seeing Ward in possession of more than one kilogram of cocaine when they were returning from Florida. There was additional testimony of other co-conspirator witnesses implicating Ward. There is ample evidence to overcome the preponderance standard.
44 A defendant may make a motion for a new trial in the interests of justice. Fed.R.Crim.P. 33. Ward argues the interest of justice requires he receive a new trial due to ineffective assistance of his counsel. Ward's argument is unpersuasive. In order to prevail on an ineffective assistance claim, Ward must demonstrate that his counsel's performance was deficient and that he was prejudiced by that deficiency. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694. The evidence against Ward is so overwhelming that even if he proved a deficiency in counsel's performance, the deficiency would not have had any impact on the determination of Ward's guilt.