Opinion ID: 596393
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Prejudice to Lady from the Material Variance

Text: 75 Even if the evidence did not support the jury finding of a single conspiracy, Lady would have to prove that the variance prejudiced him by affecting his substantial rights. Berger v. United States, 295 U.S. 78, 55 S.Ct. 629, 79 L.Ed. 1314 (1935), overruled on other grounds, Stirone v. United States, 361 U.S. 212, 80 S.Ct. 270, 4 L.Ed.2d 252 (1960); United States v. Warren, 772 F.2d 827, 835 n. 12 (11th Cir.1985), cert. denied, 475 U.S. 1022, 106 S.Ct. 1214, 89 L.Ed.2d 326 (1986). Such prejudice exists when (1) the proof at trial differs so greatly from the charges in the indictment that the defendant is unfairly surprised and has an inadequate opportunity to prepare a defense, or (2) if there are so many defendants and so many separate conspiracies before the jury that there is a substantial likelihood that the jury transferred evidence from one conspiracy to a defendant involved in another conspiracy. Caporale, 806 F.2d at 1500; Warren, 772 F.2d at 835 n. 12; United States v. Hall, 632 F.2d 500, 504 (5th Cir.1980). 76 Lady was not prejudiced in the manner suggested in the first prong of the prejudice test. The indictment was fully adequate to alert Lady to the crime alleged and he had sufficient opportunity to prepare an adequate defense. Moreover, Lady did not suffer prejudice under the second prong. The jury convicted Reed of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, but acquitted Lady and Kane of the distribution charge. Two other defendants at the trial were acquitted on all counts. Thus, the jury was able to separate the evidence and to treat each defendant individually. See Caporale, 806 F.2d at 1501 (the fact that the jury acquitted some of the defendants is proof that the jury was able to treat each defendant individually); United States v. Rodriguez, 765 F.2d 1546, 1553 (11th Cir.1985) (no proof of prejudicial variance because defendant was acquitted on some charges).