Opinion ID: 790646
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Jury Instruction B

Text: 16 Ellerman also contends the district court abused its discretion in failing to give his offered instruction B, regarding his being a user and addict, but not a dealer or distributor, of methamphetamine. We review an accused's challenge to a court's refusal to give a specifically worded theory of defense instruction for abuse of discretion. Gonzales, 90 F.3d at 1371. 17 In denying Ellerman's motion, the district court found that its jury instructions covered the subject matter in Ellerman's proffered instruction. United States v. Liebo, 923 F.2d 1308, 1312 (8th Cir.1991) (an accused is not entitled to a particular jury instruction if its subject matter is adequately and substantially covered by other instructions). In reviewing the record, the only possible similar instruction given was Instruction number 20: 18 You should understand that merely being present at the scene of an event, or merely acting in the same way as others or merely associating with others, does not prove that a person has joined in an agreement or understanding. A person who has no knowledge of a conspiracy but who happens to act in a way which advances some purpose of one, does not thereby become a member. 19 Instruction number 20 does not address the subject matter of Ellerman's proposed instruction. Thus, no other instruction actually covered the subject matter of Ellerman's proposed instruction. However, that fact alone is insufficient for reversal if additional evidence does not support the requested instruction. Risch, 87 F.3d at 242. 20 At trial, the evidence established Ellerman was consistently receiving quantities of methamphetamine from Neustel and Burns for distribution. Neustel's drug ledger showed Ellerman obtained approximately 342¼ grams of methamphetamine from Neustel during the conspiracy. Neustel characterized Ellerman as his top salesman and Ellerman admitted obtaining 1/2 to 1½ ounces of methamphetamine from Burns on a regular basis. 21 Ellerman bases his claim on the testimony of his expert witness, former police officer Rodney Burk. 5 Ellerman's reliance on Burk's testimony is misplaced. Burk had not worked as a police officer since 1991 and admitted his opinions were based on reports provided by Ellerman's attorney, not personal interviews. Although Burk testified Ellerman's name did not frequently appear in Neustel's drug ledger, he later admitted he was unsure which ledger entries referred to Ellerman. Burk admitted that if someone purchased an ounce of methamphetamine and then bought another ounce a week later, as did Ellerman, it was not for personal use. Burk also conceded that possession of a large amount of unused baggies in close proximity to methamphetamine could be indicative of distribution. Ellerman has not shown that the district court abused its discretion in rejecting the proffered instruction.