Opinion ID: 758747
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Evidence for the Defense

Text: 19 Woodfin argues that the court erred by refusing to allow the defendants to introduce evidence or to question witnesses about the role of Cooper and DiScenza in the investigation of Danny's operation. This court reviews such trial court limitations on the scope of defense inquiry for abuse of discretion. United States v. Burge, 990 F.2d 244, 249 (6th Cir.1992). 20 Woodfin's claim is meritless. Regardless of whether the district court characterized the attempt to question witnesses about any Cooper/DiScenza connection as part of an outrageous government conduct defense under United States v. Payne, 962 F.2d 1228, 1232 (6th Cir.1992), the court did not abuse its discretion by allowing questioning only as to possible improper influence either Cooper or DiScenza may have exercised over government witnesses. Here, the trial court sought to prevent the jury from drawing unwarranted conclusions based simply on the fact that either Cooper or DiScenza--neither of whom testified at trial--had an interest in Danny's conviction. Much as in Burge, it is difficult to see how the excluded testimony, which may have reflected on the testimony of [Cooper or DiScenza], would have helped to establish a reasonable doubt as to whether the defendant[s] committed the crimes charged. Burge, 990 F.2d at 248. 21 Woodfin further contends that the district court should have permitted the defendants to introduce evidence of an industry-wide custom of imposing fines in order to deter--not to profit from--prostitution. The district court ruled that the industry practice was irrelevant to the conduct of Danny's clubs. This court reviews such trial court limitations on the scope of defense inquiry for abuse of discretion. Burge, 990 F.2d at 249. 22 Woodfin's argument fails. The court weighed the potential for confusion and misdirection against the probative value of the proffered evidence and determined that it was irrelevant. What is more, in light of the defendants' introduction of other evidence showing that the fines were for the purpose of deterring prostitution and absenteeism, they had an opportunity to develop this defense. The district court thus did not abuse its discretion in excluding the evidence with respect to the competitors' use of fines.