Opinion ID: 2782883
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Cross-Examination About Marijuana

Text: At trial, the United States asked Defendant what he and the rest of the group were doing before the police arrived at their motel room. When Defendant answered, “Just watching TV,” the United States inquired whether Defendant and the others were smoking marijuana during that period. Defendant replied, “No, sir.” Defense counsel asked to approach the bench, but the court overruled that request. The United States then asked Defendant if he denied that the -17- No. 14-5430, United States v. Roberts officers “walked into a haze of marijuana smoke” when they entered Room 231. Defendant did not deny that assertion, but clarified that only Turner was smoking marijuana. Defendant argues that this cross-examination about smoking marijuana in the Motel 6 was unfairly prejudicial because Defendant was charged with participating in a crack cocaine conspiracy, not a marijuana-based offense. Def.’s Br. 32. Though the parties disagree as to whether defense counsel properly objected, we need not decide whether the standard of review is plain error or abuse of discretion. The claim lacks merit even under the abuse-of-discretion standard. Cross-examination may implicate “matters affecting the witness’s credibility.” Fed. R. Evid. 611(b). “We have repeatedly insisted that when defendants testify, they must testify truthfully or suffer the consequences.” United States v. Markarian, 967 F.2d 1098, 1103 (6th Cir. 1992) (quoting United States v. Havens, 446 U.S. 620, 626-27 (1980)). The district court did not abuse its discretion in permitting the cross-examination on marijuana use. By falsely stating that he and his co-conspirators were merely watching television before the police entered Room 231 and then explicitly denying that marijuana was being smoked in that room, Defendant opened the door for the United States to impeach his credibility. See Markarian, 967 F.2d at 1103 (holding that prosecution could ask witness about defendant’s experience with cocaine after defendant denied selling any controlled substances on direct and cross-examination). Nor did eliciting this testimony unfairly prejudice Defendant. Evidence of marijuana use in Room 231 was relevant to explain why the police entered the room in the first place. See id. (concluding that trial court properly exercised discretion when determining the probative value of impeachment evidence outweighed any prejudicial effect). -18- No. 14-5430, United States v. Roberts