Opinion ID: 609734
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 16

Heading: references to the demarcos

Text: 130 Robert DeMarco Jr. argues that he was deprived of a fair trial by repeated references to the DeMarcos. He contends that these collective references deprived him of an individual adjudication of guilt or innocence, and instead grouped him together with his father as a single entity. 131 We have examined the record and conclude that the phrase the DeMarcos was used as a substitute for both Robert DeMarco Sr. and Robert DeMarco Jr., and that this was made clear to the jury. For example, in one of the instances cited by Demarco Jr., Callahan testified that he distributed portions of two half-kilograms of cocaine to, among others, the Demarcos. Upon counsel's objection to the collective reference, the prosecutor asked whether Robert DeMarco Sr. and Robert DeMarco Jr. were both present at the time of this distribution, and Callahan replied, Yes. 132 A witness may testify that two persons jointly performed a given act so long as confusion is avoided. Here, the witness was merely using the shorthand phrase the DeMarcos to refer to both Robert DeMarco Sr. and Robert DeMarco Jr. When counsel objected, the witness made clear his meaning. We have examined the other instances cited by DeMarco Jr. and find them to be equally lacking in confusion or prejudice.