Opinion ID: 777349
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Violation of the Sixth Amendment Right to Confrontation

Text: 35 A district court's limitation of cross-examination is reviewed for an abuse of discretion, unless it directly implicates the core values of the Sixth Amendment right of confrontation which we review de novo. E.g., United States v. Neely, 980 F.2d 1074, 1080 (7th Cir.1992). Cross-examination in order to establish credibility, veracity, bias, or motivation is a core concern; at the same time, continuous, cumulative, or repeated exploration of such issues is a peripheral concern which the trial court may curb at its discretion. E.g., United States v. Nelson, 39 F.3d 705, 707-08 (7th Cir.1994). So long as cross-examination elicits adequate information to allow a jury to assess a witness's credibility, motives, or possible bias, the Sixth Amendment is not compromised. United States v. Scott, 145 F.3d 878, 888 (7th Cir.1998) (emphasis added); United States v. Saunders, 166 F.3d 907, 919 (7th Cir.1999).
36 At issue is the testimony of Justin Maldonado. Maldonado testified that between 1994 and 1999 he purchased cocaine from Melvin Alicea, Johnny Alicea, and Victor Matias, Jr. When Maldonado was asked by Victor Alicea's attorney about selling cocaine he invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to answer. However, on re-direct examination by the government Maldonado admitted he told the police about his cocaine sales to others. 37 Neither Melvin Alicea, Johnny Alicea, nor Victor Matias, Jr. asserts a Sixth Amendment violation based on Maldonado's invocation of his Fifth Amendment right. Instead, Victor Alicea, who Maldonado did not mention, asserts that he was denied his right to confront his accusers by the district court's ruling sustaining the government's objection to further questioning after the Fifth Amendment protection was invoked. Victor Alicea argues that by sustaining the government's objection, the district court prevented him from exposing Maldonado's criminal activity, which the jury could have used to weigh Maldonado's credibility. 38 Putting aside the fact that Maldonado never testified about Victor Alicea, Victor Alicea's Sixth Amendment right was not violated by the district court's limitation of Alicea's attorney's cumulative cross-examination into the specifics of Maldonado's drug sales. See United States v. Williamson, 202 F.3d 974, 977-79 (7th Cir. 2000). The trial transcript reveals that Victor's attorney thoroughly cross-examined Maldonado inquiring about his many purchases of cocaine, sale of cocaine and fake cocaine, the government's failure to prosecute him for those prior acts, and the government's current deal with him pertaining to this trial. (Tr., Aug. 1, 2000, a.m. session, at 101-106). Also, at closing arguments Victor's attorney stated: He [Maldonado] was passing off just one more story, one more thing that would help him out in keeping his record of not being prosecuted for now seven counts he still has open or seven different people that he sold drugs to that the government was aware of that he's not been prosecuted for. (Tr., Aug. 1, 2000, p.m. session, at 73-74). These are the same facts that Victor claims he was prevented from developing on cross-examination. 39 After all this testimony there is absolutely no doubt the jury was well aware of Maldonado's character and motivations for testifying. Williamson, 202 F.3d at 977 (The right to cross-examination is not unlimited; the Confrontation Clause guarantees only effective cross-examination, not cross-examination of any type sought by the defendant.). The district court did not abuse its discretion by limiting further cross-examination on this peripheral matter. 40