Opinion ID: 15353
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: compensated witnesses

Text: Grant argues that the government’s case against him was based largely on three compensated witnesses, who were paid either in terms of travel expenses or in lenient sentence recommendations. As a result, he was entitled to a compensated witness instruction; however, the trial court only generally instructed the jury on the effect of a plea agreement. Because Grant failed to raise this claim at trial, this Court reviews for plain error. United States v. Lopez, 923 F.2d 47, 49 (5th Cir. 1991). For a compensated witness’ testimony to be admissible, it must meet four requirements: 1) the government may not encourage or deliberately use perjured testimony; 2) the government must completely and timely disclose to the accused the fee arrangement it made with the informant; 3) the accused must have an adequate opportunity to cross-examine the informant and government agents about any compensation agreement; and 4) the trial court must give a careful instruction to the jury pointing out the compensated witness’ suspect credibility. United States v. Rizk, 833 F.2d 523, 525 (5th Cir. 1987). While the judge did not give an instruction pointing out the witnesses’ suspect credibility, he did instruct the jury to 15 carefully, cautiously weigh the testimony of those who have entered into a plea agreement.5 It is up to the jury to evaluate the credibility of compensated witnesses, United States v. Garcia Abrego, 141 F.3d 142, 151 (5th Cir. 1998), and the judge’s instruction allowed the jury to do so. Any error, then, in failing to give a specific instruction does not rise to the level of plain error.