Opinion ID: 542890
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Thomas' Claims of Unfair Prejudice

Text: 23 Thomas argues that the district court erred by admitting testimony of Kruk which allowed the jury to hear that Thomas became angry and threw an object to the ground when informed that Kruk had told the grand jury the truth about the October 25 and February 4 meetings. Thomas contends that his explanation of his anger would have been prejudicial because he was actually angry at being falsely accused by an acquaintance of painting the racial epithet on the house. In essence, Thomas is arguing that this testimony should have been excluded under Federal Rule of Evidence 403 because its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. 2 Such a determination is left to the discretion of the district judge and we will reverse only if that discretion has clearly been abused. United States v. Allen, 798 F.2d 985, 1001 (7th Cir.1986). The testimony was relevant to prove the willfulness element relating to the conspiracy charges. Its probative value was not substantially outweighed by the prejudicial effect of the disclosure of Thomas' anger. The district court did not abuse its discretion. 24 Similarly, Thomas argues that he was prejudiced by the admission into evidence of an exhibit containing answers to the allegations set forth in the indictment. The responses to the allegations or script had been written by Thomas for Fozo's use during his trial testimony. The government argued the script was designed to produce answers by Fozo consistent with those of Thomas, and thus the exhibit demonstrated consciousness of guilt of both defendants. Thomas argues he wrote the answers because of Fozo's spelling difficulties and the admission of the exhibit was error because Fozo's testimony was also consistent with Kruk's testimony. Again, the probative value of the evidence was not substantially outweighed by the prejudicial aspect of the disclosure. There was more than one interpretation which could have been (and was by counsel) given to the action of Thomas with regard to the script. The district court did not abuse its discretion by admitting the exhibit. 25