Opinion ID: 1254151
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Statements Regarding Use of Force[6]

Text: Young argues that the district erred when it allowed the government to present testimony that co-defendant Roller obtained [sic] drug debts by force or threat of physical violence without even a limiting instruction. [7] Young Br. at 23. Young asserts that the evidence that co-defendant Roller used extortion to obtain [sic] drug debts is minimally probative, if at all, as to Defendant Young's participation in the conspiracy. No evidence was presented to connect Defendant Young in any way to his codefendant's actions in collecting debts. Id. at 25. Young argues that the introduction of this testimony was unfairly prejudicial in violation of Rule 403. As discussed above, [i]n reviewing the trial court's [Rule 403] decision for an abuse of discretion, the appellate court must view the evidence in the light most favorable to its proponent, giving the evidence its maximum reasonable probative force and its minimum reasonable prejudicial value. Jackson, 473 F.3d at 668 (internal quotation marks omitted). Young incorrectly asserts that no evidence connected him to Roller's attempts to collect debts. Foutch testified that Roller and Young were present when Roller asked her to collect money from drug debtors and that Young told her to take the title to Holt's car if Foutch was unable to get money from Holt. The government's theory was that Roller and Young were partners in an extensive drug conspiracy. Although the information relating to debt collection was largely based on Foutch's conversations with Roller, the overall evidence in the case does not suggest that Young was distanced from the debt-collecting segment of the conspiracy. Additionally, the testimony regarding debt collection had probative value insofar as it showed that Roller and Young were willing to extend credit to drug purchasers. Even assuming that the district court erred as to Young in admitting testimony regarding debt collection, we conclude that this error was harmless. Roller and Young did not face any extortion charges or any charges involving violence. There was ample other evidence of a conspiracy between Roller and Young, including testimony regarding stripping marijuana and detailed testimony from individuals who had been involved in dealing drugs with Roller and Young for many years. Therefore, we reject Young's argument that admission of statements regarding debt collection constituted reversible error.