Opinion ID: 1388566
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Marquez-Ramos's Limiting Instruction Issue

Text: Marquez-Ramos took the stand to testify in his own defense. The district court granted his motion to provide testimony, and thus be cross-examined, only on the conspiracy to kill charge. The district court then told the jury that they should draw no inference whatsoever from Marquez-Ramos's election not to testify as to the other counts. Before entering into the precise fray between the parties on this issue, we find that the district judge's order was not a proper limit on the examination even of a defendant. Cross-examination should be limited to the subject matter of the direct examination and matters affecting the credibility of the witness. The court may, in the exercise of discretion, permit inquiry into additional matters as if on direct examination. Fed.R.Evid. 611(b). A criminal defendant who testifies waives the privilege against self-incrimination to the extent of relevant cross-examination. See Johnson v. United States, 318 U.S. 189, 195, 63 S.Ct. 549, 87 L.Ed. 704 (1943). In that dated but still authoritative opinion, the Supreme Court quoted Professor Wigmore: a defendant's voluntary offer of testimony upon any fact is a waiver as to all other relevant facts, because of the necessary connection between all. Id. (quoting 8 WIGMORE, EVIDENCE § 2276(2) (3d ed.1940)). Once a defendant testified voluntarily, he waived his fifth amendment right and became obligated, as any other witness, to answer all relevant questions. United States v. Harper, 802 F.2d 115, 119 (5th Cir.1986) (quoting United States v. Brannon, 546 F.2d 1242, 1246 (5th Cir.1977)). The place at which the district judge drew his line for cross-examination, namely, between counts of the indictment, was invalid. The proper line is between what on cross-examination is relevant and irrelevant to the scope of the direct examination. The government does not here challenge the limitation of its examination. It is this defendant who alleges that another aspect of the district court's actions was prejudicial. Marquez-Ramos claims that the district court's instructions to jurors not to draw any inferences was error and entitled him to a mistrial. The argument is that the comment improperly drew attention to his decision not to testify on the other counts. When the defendant raises an issue such as this at trial, the standard of appellate review for the denial of a mistrial is one of an abuse of discretion. United States v. Akpan, 407 F.3d 360, 366 (5th Cir.2005). We find no error, as the kind of comment made by the district court has been endorsed by the Supreme Court. Lakeside v. Oregon, 435 U.S. 333, 338-39, 98 S.Ct. 1091, 55 L.Ed.2d 319 (1978). While it is impermissible to comment adversely on a defendant's silence, a cautionary instruction informing jurors not to draw an adverse inference from a defendant's failure to testify is permissible. Id. The unusual events in this trial that underlay the comment do not change the validity of it. There was no abuse of discretion in failing to grant a new trial.