Opinion ID: 3000859
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Evidence of Austin’s Molestation

Text: Finally, Burt argues that the testimony by witness Austin about Burt’s molestation also violates FED. R. EVID. 403. Austin was one of three children called by the government during its case. Unlike witness David, whose molestation was recorded on the video which provided the underlying pornography for one of the counts against Burt, Austin’s molestation was not documented in any of the photos that made up the counts against Burt. Burt argues that Austin’s testimony was likely to unfairly prejudice the jury in excess of any probative value it might have had. We need only return to the heart of the defense’s case to dispense with this argument. As noted above, Burt rested No. 06-3415 15 much of his case on the theory that his photos were nonsexual. The government bore the burden of proving that the photos were “lascivious exhibition of the genitals” in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2256(2)(A)(v). The instructions that the judge gave to the jury on how to determine whether nude photos meet that standard included, as one example, “whether the picture or image is intended or designed to elicit a sexual response in the viewer.” Tr. at 570. Rule 404(b) allows the introduction of prior bad acts as proof of “motive . . . intent . . . [or] plan.” FED R. EVID. 404(b). Austin’s testimony was not simply that he had once been molested by Burt. On the contrary, his testimony established that he was repeatedly molested during the period when the photos in question were being taken. The testimony also established that the molestation happened behind closed (and locked) doors, in the same rooms of the house where the photography sessions were conducted. His testimony was directly relevant to the question of whether Burt was a “hard working professional photographer” taking pictures for a legitimate “non-pornographic website” as the defense had stated in his opening statement, or whether he took pictures of naked children because they “elicit a sexual response” in him or his online partners. We do not believe that the district court abused its discretion in admitting the testimony.