Opinion ID: 450722
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Failure to Charge Jury Regarding False Exculpatory Statement

Text: 37 At the close of the testimony, and almost as an afterthought, defense counsel sought to have an instruction given to the jury regarding false exculpatory statements. This came as a counter-move to a supplemental request by the government. Following a lengthy colloquy with counsel for each party as to whether to include language from United States v. Johnson, 513 F.2d 819, 824 (2d Cir.1975), and having weighed their respective arguments, the trial judge denied both the government's and defendant's requests and gave no instruction to the jury regarding the matter. 38 Relying upon Johnson, Martino argues that this was error requiring reversal, especially since, according to him, the evidence against him was weak. While the evidence against Martino herein was less than overwhelming, we do not believe it was insufficient. It is true that a false exculpatory statement may fail to save an otherwise inadequate case. Id.; United States v. Kearse, 444 F.2d 62 (2d Cir.1971); United States v. McConney, 329 F.2d 467 (2d Cir.1964); accord, United States v. Gaviria, 740 F.2d 174 (2d Cir.1984). However, given our finding as to the sufficiency of the evidence herein, we hold that it was within the discretion of the trial court to determine whether or not to give the requested instruction as it related to consciousness of guilt. United States v. Indorato, 628 F.2d 711, 720 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 1016, 101 S.Ct. 578, 66 L.Ed.2d 476 (1980). We have sanctioned the giving of this charge in criminal cases ... on the issue of guilt. [citation omitted] However, we have never held it error not to give the charge. Fernandez v. Fitzgerald, 711 F.2d 485, 487 n. 1 (2d Cir.1983); see also United States v. Robinson, 475 F.2d 376, 384 (D.C.Cir.1973); Federal Judicial Center Committee to Study Criminal Jury Instructions, Pattern Criminal Jury Instructions 51-53 (1982). As the court found in Indorato: The charge here was thorough, accurate and clear. The jury was instructed on the elements of the crim[e], the presumption of innocence, proof beyond a reasonable doubt, the weighing of evidence, ... the difference between circumstantial and direct evidence, and the drawing of reasonable inferences. 628 F.2d at 720. 39 Under the circumstances as they exist herein, we hold that it was not an abuse of discretion for the trial judge to decline to further amplify upon his clear instruction to the jury. 3 40 We affirm.