Opinion ID: 423956
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: mosby's evidentiary claim

Text: 58 Defendant Mosby sought to introduce certain evidence in his defense by stipulation. This evidence involved proof of Mosby's heart condition and his concomitant inability to hold a regular job. The district court deemed this evidence irrelevant and denied its admission. Mosby now contends that the district court's refusal to admit this evidence constituted an abuse of discretion. 59 Mosby contends that this evidence was relevant because if Mosby had testified at trial the evidence could have been used to humanize him to the jury. Br. for Appellant Mosby at 15. It is true that the evidence of Mosby's personal background would have been admissible if Mosby had taken the stand in his own behalf, but he did not testify. Thus, defendant is seeking to accomplish indirectly what he cannot do directly--to present evidence favorable to himself without subjecting himself to the possible dangers of cross-examination. Cf. United States v. Lyon, 397 F.2d 505 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 393 U.S. 846, 89 S.Ct. 131, 21 L.Ed.2d 117 (1968) (witness cannot invoke the privilege against self-incrimination on cross-examination as to matters testified to on direct). 60 The district court acted within its discretion when it refused to admit the personal background evidence offered by way of stipulation. Mosby's claim of error is therefore rejected.