Opinion ID: 463821
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Isaacs

Text: 28 Under United States v. James, 590 F.2d 575, 581 (5th Cir.1979) (en banc), coconspirator hearsay statements are admissible against a defendant only if the government presents substantial independent evidence establishing (1) the existence of a conspiracy, (2) the defendant's and the declarant's membership in the conspiracy, and (3) that the statement was made in the course of and in furtherance of the conspiracy. 3 United States v. Alvarez, 755 F.2d 830, 855 (11th Cir.1985). Isaacs contends that the district court clearly erred in finding sufficient independent evidence of his membership in the conspiracy. We reject this argument. 29 To prove Isaacs's membership in the conspiracy, the government was required to establish that a conspiracy existed, that Isaacs was aware of the essential elements of the conspiracy, and with that knowledge, joined the conspiracy. See United States v. Cruz, 765 F.2d 1020, 1025 (11th Cir.1985). Creamer's testimony explaining his meeting with Isaacs and Hart is clearly sufficient to establish Isaacs's knowing participation in the conspiracy. 30 Creamer met with Isaacs and Hart in Isaacs's She Club office. He testified: 31 [Isaacs] was angry about the job being such a poor one, and he wanted it finished. That was the reason I got the $500 [I had asked for] was the fact I was going to go ahead and finish it. 32 Isaacs argues that the government failed to establish when this meeting occurred and to explain the nature of the job to which Creamer made reference. It is well settled that the existence of a conspiracy and a defendant's participation in it may be proved by circumstantial evidence. United States v. Cole, 755 F.2d 748, 755 (11th Cir.1985). It is clear from the substance of Creamer's testimony and its place within the chronology of other events about which Creamer testified that his meeting with Isaacs and Hart occurred between the first and second attempts to destroy the Starcastle Club. Furthermore, Creamer testified that he had never performed any other job for Isaacs. Thus, it is also clear that Isaacs could have been referring only to the destruction of the Starcastle Club. 33 Isaacs's own conduct and conversation constitute admissions under Fed.R.Evid. 801(d)(2)(A), implicating him in the conspiracy to destroy the Starcastle Club. United States v. Hewitt, 663 F.2d 1381, 1388 (11th Cir.1981). 4 We find that the district court did not err in finding that sufficient independent evidence of Isaacs's participation in the conspiracy existed to render the hearsay statements of Isaacs's coconspirators admissible against him. Alvarez, 755 F.2d at 855-56; Hewitt, 663 F.2d at 1388.