Opinion ID: 506212
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Admission of testimony by paid informer Tom Spratlen

Text: 46 Appellants Drewes, Goff, Kuntze, and Schoenhoff argue that the district court committed reversible error by denying their motions with respect to testimony by the government's paid informer and principal witness, Tom Spratlen. They contend that the court erred by admitting Spratlen's testimony, by denying their motion to strike that testimony in its entirety, by failing to give the jury special cautionary instructions regarding it, and finally, by denying their motion for mistrial because of it. 47 Record evidence indicates that Spratlen had heard that the government had targeted Barrington and would pay as much as $250,000 for evidence against him. Spratlen then approached the government and became a government informer in September, 1984. By the time of trial, he had already received over $62,000 in expenses and reward payments. The evidence further shows that a DEA agent present throughout Spratlen's testimony planned to recommend at some time in the future that he be paid an additional amount between $100,000 and $200,000. Further, it was shown that in return for giving his testimony, Spratlen expected to receive a percentage of the money and other property seized from appellants. Finally, Spratlen indicated that he believed the total amount he was to receive, possibly as much as $250,000, would depend upon the success of the prosecution. 48 Under our en banc decision in United States v. Cervantes-Pacheco, 826 F.2d 310 (5th Cir.1987), cert. denied, sub nom. Nelson v. United States, --- U.S. ----, 108 S.Ct. 749, 98 L.Ed.2d 762 (1988), the credibility of a compensated witness, like that of a witness promised a reduced sentence in exchange for testifying, is for the jury to determine. The government may not, of course, deliberately use or encourage the use of perjured testimony. It must make complete and timely disclosure to the accused concerning any fee arrangement with the informant, and the accused must have adequate opportunity to cross-examine the informant and government agents about any agreement to compensate. Further, the trial court must give the jury careful instructions pointing out the suspect credibility of a fact witness who has been or expects to be compensated for his testimony. Id. at 315-16. Appellants had full opportunity to cross-examine Spratlen and government agents as to compensation arrangements, and they did so extensively in the course of trial. The court properly instructed the jury. 13 Appellants do not claim that the government deliberately put on perjured testimony or failed to make complete and timely disclosure as to its fee arrangement with Spratlen. We find that the court did not err by denying appellants' motions regarding Spratlen's testimony.