Opinion ID: 654592
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Challenge to Scope of Expert Testimony

Text: 55 The defendants-appellants challenge the admission of expert testimony on the inner workings of the Gambino Family as being outside the scope of expert testimony. We have, however, previously upheld the use of expert testimony to help explain the operation, structure, membership, and terminology of organized crime families. SeeUnited States v. Daly, 842 F.2d 1380, 1388 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 821, 109 S.Ct. 66, 102 L.Ed.2d 43 (1988); see alsoUnited States v. Skowronski, 968 F.2d 242, 246 (2d Cir.1992) (upholding expert testimony of government agents explaining organized crime jargon); United States v. Tutino, 883 F.2d 1125, 1134 (2d Cir.1989) (same), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 1081, 110 S.Ct. 1139, 107 L.Ed.2d 1044 (1990); United States v. Ardito, 782 F.2d 358, 363 (2d Cir.) (same), cert. denied, 475 U.S. 1141, 106 S.Ct. 1792, 90 L.Ed.2d 338 (1986); United States v. Gallo, 118 F.R.D. 316, 317-18 (E.D.N.Y.1987) (FBI agents could testify as experts as to methods of operation of organized crime). Other circuits considering the issue are in agreement. SeeUnited States v. Pungitore, 910 F.2d 1084, 1148-49 (3d Cir.1990) (upholding testimony of agent who testified about structure of organized crime families), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 111 S.Ct. 2009, 114 L.Ed.2d 98 (1991); United States v. Angiulo, 847 F.2d 956, 973-75 (1st Cir.) (same), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 852, 109 S.Ct. 138, 102 L.Ed.2d 110 (1988). 56 In Daly, this Court confronted a similar claim that a district court committed reversible error in admitting expert testimony on the structure of organized crime families. There, the government agent who testified identified the five organized crime families that operate in the New York area; he described their requirements for membership, their rules of conduct and code of silence, and the meaning of certain jargon, ... and he described how, in general, organized crime has infiltrated labor unions. 842 F.2d at 1388. Additionally, the expert identified voices on surveillance tapes. In sustaining the admission of such testimony, we explained that such expert testimony was relevant to provide the jury with an understanding of the nature and structure of organized crime families. Id. We further added that there was no question that there was much that was outside the expectable realm of knowledge of the average juror. Id. 57 We continue to believe that despite the unfortunate fact that our society has become increasingly familiar with organized crime and its activities from such sources as newspapers, movies, television, and books, it is still a reasonable assumption that jurors are not well versed in the structure and methods of organized crime families. Moreover, much of the information gleaned from such sources may be inaccurate. Consequently, the subject matter of Agent Schiliro's testimony, namely the structure and operations of organized crime families, was properly admitted.