Opinion ID: 771893
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Co-conspirator Statement

Text: 8 Whitehead argues that the district court erred in admitting under Rule 801(d)(2)(E) of the Federal Rules of Evidence the informant's testimony regarding a statement made by Molden before September 28, 1998. He contends that the statement did not fall within the co-conspirator exception because the government failed to prove that the conspiracy was in existence at the time it was made. In explaining his initial meeting with Molden, the informant testified that the two talked about dope, rock cocaine, and talk[ed] about powder, and [Molden] told me that he could get me hooked up--. The informant was interrupted by a defense objection, and the remainder of his testimony dealt with events that occurred on or after September 28, the date on which independent evidence established that the conspiracy was shown to exist. 9 The district court's determination that a statement falls within the co-conspirator exception to the hearsay rule will not be reversed unless it is clearly erroneous. United States v. Eisenberg, 807 F.2d 1446, 1453 (8th Cir. 1986). To fulfill the requirements of the co-conspirator's statement exemption, the government must demonstrate that (1) a conspiracy existed; (2) that the defendant and the declarant were part of the conspiracy; and (3) that the declaration was made during the course and in furtherance of the conspiracy. Id. (citations omitted). 10 Whitehead does not argue that the government failed to prove that a conspiracy existed to which both he and Molden were parties; he argues only that it did not show that the conspiracy existed at the time of Molden's initial meeting with the informant. Assuming that the government failed to prove that the challenged statement was made during the course of the conspiracy, its admission was harmless error because it did not inculpate Whitehead. See United States v. Schepp, 746 F.2d 406, 411 (8th Cir. 1984) (holding admission of hearsay statements under co-conspirator exception was harmless error even though statements were not made during course of conspiracy because the statements did not inculpate the defendant and the independent evidence of conspiracy was overwhelming). At most, the statement indicated the existence of a conspiracy giving Molden access to drugs. Given the substantial independent evidence tending to prove that fact, most notably Molden's testimony itself, we cannot say that there is a reasonable possibility that the statement contributed to Whitehead's conviction. Id.; Eisenberg, 807 F.2d at 1454. Any error by the district court in admitting the statement was therefore harmless. 11 The judgment is affirmed.