Opinion ID: 2675586
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Prior Heroin Dealing

Text: Marfo next contends that the district court erred by allowing Davis to testify that he and Copeland distributed heroin through a certain individual identified as “Kofi” (who introduced Marfo to Davis in 2008), and that from time to time, Davis distributed heroin to Marfo. On cross-examination, Marfo’s counsel questioned Davis extensively about Davis’, Copeland’s, and Byrd’s involvement in the Callaway murder, as the defense sought to contrast those individuals’ arguably greater degree of involvement in the murder with Marfo’s ostensibly lesser role. Marfo also sought to show that Davis’ 19 close relationship with Copeland resulted in bias against Marfo, so that when Davis decided to cooperate, he falsely implicated Marfo in the murder. Indeed, showing that Davis was biased against Marfo was a central theme of the defense. Accordingly, the Government’s decision to present evidence showing that Davis and Marfo were also involved in crimes, such as the heroin sales, tended to show that Davis’ relationship with Copeland was not so unique. Thus, on re-direct examination, the Government asked a single question of Davis, in response to which Davis confirmed that he had a heroin source, that he had sold to Copeland, and that on occasion, he has sold to Marfo. Marfo contends that the Government “only introduced evidence of [his] participation in heroin distribution to show that [he] had a propensity to join conspiracies with the same men.” (Appellant’s Br. 55.) To the contrary, we find that the limited testimony about how Davis met Marfo through Kofi (Davis’ drug connection) was probative of the very formation of the conspiracy between Davis and Marfo. See Kennedy, 32 F.3d at 885 (“Evidence of uncharged conduct is not considered ‘other crimes’ evidence if it arose out of the same series of transactions as the charged offense, or if it is necessary to complete the story of the crime on trial.” (quotation marks and alterations omitted)). 20 Even if considered to be a “bad act” under Rule 404(b), this evidence was relevant and necessary in establishing the context of the relationship between Davis and Marfo, which the jury necessarily had to consider in deciding whether Davis falsely implicated Marfo. The testimony told the “story” of how and why Davis met Marfo and whether Davis’ relationship with Marfo affected his credibility. As the Government may “provide context relevant to the criminal charges,” we find that the district court did not err in admitting this evidence. United States v. Cooper, 482 F.3d 658, 663 (4th Cir. 2007).