Opinion ID: 476836
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Negative Character Evidence

Text: 68 Matranga contends that the court erred in admitting negative character evidence against him, other than the evidence showing that he had threatened or otherwise created fear in Hall in connection with any extension of credit. As examples of such evidence, Matranga cites the admission of his own claimed Mafia connections, various specific events involving the handling of a gun, a statement that Matranga intended to shoot a third person, and Matranga's intervention on Hall's behalf with known underworld figures. 69 Trial court decisions to admit evidence are reviewed for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Winn, 767 F.2d 527, 529 (9th Cir.1985); United States v. Solomon, 753 F.2d 1522, 1524 (9th Cir.1985). The evidence presented at trial regarding Matranga's violent character and his self-proclaimed Mafia connections was relevant to the issue of whether Matranga used extortionate means to collect extensions of credit in violation of section 894, and was properly admissible under the authority of United States v. Nace, 561 F.2d 763, 767-68 (9th Cir.1977). The district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the challenged evidence.