Opinion ID: 196112
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Pre-conspiracy evidence:

Text: 35 Flores-Rivera also contends that the district court erred in admitting evidence that drugs were imported by codefendants Escobar and Santos-Caraballo in March of 1986, one month before the start of the conspiracy alleged in Count 2. Flores-Rivera notes correctly that the evidence was admissible against his codefendants, but not against him. He argues that the court's instruction to this effect was insufficient and confusing. This contention has little merit and can be disposed of quickly. 36 To prevent prejudice to the other defendants, the district court issued an extensive limiting instruction to the jury, which included the admonishment: 37 [T]his evidence will only be considered by you in reference to defendants [Escobar] and [Santos-Caraballo]. This evidence only relates to them. It doesn't relate at all whatsoever to Michael Cruz-Gonzalez, to Eric Flores-Rivera or to Andres Morales-Cruz. They are not involved in that. So if you consider this evidence, it pertains only to those two defendants. 38 This instruction clearly instructed the jury that it was not to consider the pre-conspiracy evidence against Flores-Rivera. Accordingly, we reject Flores-Rivera's contention that the admission of this evidence constituted reversible error.