Opinion ID: 373833
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Evidence of Other Similar Acts

Text: 19 The appellant also argues that the jury was prejudiced by the testimony of Cheryl Jacobs, John Harmon and William R. Patterson, because each of these witnesses referred to other crimes, wrongs or acts which were not alleged in the indictment. Normally, such evidence is inadmissible. Rules 404(b) and 403 Federal Rules of Evidence prohibit the introduction of such evidence unless it falls within one of the well-recognized exceptions to the rule, and unless its probative value outweighs its prejudicial effect. 6 Nevertheless, we find the appellant's argument unpersuasive. Because of the issues involved in this appeal, however, we feel that a somewhat detailed discussion of the district court's evidentiary ruling is merited. 20 At the outset, it should be pointed out that we remain unconvinced as Judge Harris was unconvinced that all of the testimony in question refers to other crimes, wrongs or acts which were not alleged in the indictment. Appellant urges us to interpret the indictment as charging Don Robbins only with the events at Denim & Duds. 7 As we pointed out in our discussion of 18 U.S.C. § 912(1), the offense of impersonating a federal official or officer is composed of two elements: an impersonation and an overt act. Both of these elements are alleged in the indictment in specific terms. We are of the opinion that the language of the indictment concerning Denim & Duds refers exclusively to the overt act element of the offense. Thus, testimony showing a pattern of impersonation, which is the first element of the crime, is not limited by the events which transpired at Denim & Duds. 21 An examination of the evidence demonstrates that some of the disputed testimony was offered to show only that Robbins identified himself as an agent of the FBI. No overt acts were mentioned, for example, in John Harmon's testimony about the defendant's purchase of an automobile. Cheryl Jacobs testified that the defendant carried on a pattern of impersonation throughout the period in which they were dating and in which they eventually became engaged. She stated that during this time Robbins always carried a gun, and was doing so whenever they visited Denim & Duds together. Most of her testimony either verified the testimony of Bill Baswell or concerned her personal relationship with Robbins. The only objection to her testimony came in response to her account of the evening on which Robbins came to her apartment, bloody and ragged, claiming he had just beaten a person who had fired a gun at him the night before. He was carrying a bloodied roll of pennies which he said was in his fist during the altercation. This testimony seems primarily directed toward establishing a pattern of impersonation by way of Don Robbins' boasting, rather than referring to overt acts in carrying out the impersonation. 22 William Patterson testified that the defendant identified himself as a NARC, and on one occasion showed him a set of handcuffs. Robbins never actually identified himself as a Federally employed NARC, however, which is essential to the charge of impersonating a federal officer. To this extent, it would seem that the events referred to in Mr. Patterson's testimony are outside of the scope of the indictment, and could be considered other crimes, wrongs or acts. 23 Despite the fact that portions of the disputed evidence are not related to the specific charges in the indictment, the testimony is nevertheless admissible under the exceptions stated in Rule 404(b), Federal Rules of Evidence. Furthermore, in view of the nature and scope of the testimony, and the cautionary instructions of the trial judge, we would be hard pressed to hold, under Rule 403, Federal Rules of Evidence, that the prejudicial effect of the evidence outweighed its probative value. 24 The rules for the admission of other crimes evidence are well established, and the court recently set out the requirements which must be met: 25 (1) a material issue on which other crimes evidence may be admissible has been raised, E. g., United States v. Drury, 582 F.2d 1181, 1184 (8th Cir. 1978); United States v. Maestas, 554 F.2d 834, 837 (8th Cir.), Cert. denied, 431 U.S. 972, 97 S.Ct. 2936, 53 L.Ed.2d 1070 (1977); (2) the proffered evidence is relevant to that issue, Ibid.; (3) the evidence of the other crimes is clear and convincing, E. g., United States v. Cobb, 588 F.2d 607, 612 (8th Cir. 1978), Cert. denied, 470 U.S. 947, 99 S.Ct. 1426, 59 L.Ed.2d 636 (1979); United States v. Drury, supra, 582 F.2d at 1184; United States v. Davis, 551 F.2d 233, 234 (8th Cir.), Cert. denied, 431 U.S. 923, 97 S.Ct. 2197, 53 L.Ed.2d 237 (1977). In addition, to be admissible on such issues as intent, knowledge or plan, the other crimes evidence must relate to wrongdoing similar in kind and reasonably close in time to the charge at trial. United States v. Drury, supra, 582 F.2d at 1184. See, e. g., United States v. Little, 562 F.2d 578, 581 (8th Cir. 1977); United States v. Jardan, 552 F.2d 216, 219 (8th Cir.), Cert. denied, 433 U.S. 912, 97 S.Ct. 2982, 53 L.Ed.2d 1097 (1977). Finally, evidence otherwise admissible under Rule 404(b) may be excluded under Fed.R.Evid. 403, if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice    . 26 United States v. Frederickson, 601 F.2d 1358, 1365 (8th Cir. 1979). These requirements were also set out in United States v. Clemons, 503 F.2d 486, 489 (8th Cir. 1974). They were valid before the 1975 adoption of the Federal Rules of Evidence, and they are valid now. United States v. Frederickson, supra, n.9. 27 In the present case, most of the testimony is relevant to the material issues involved in proving the first element of an offense under 18 U.S.C. § 912(1). Furthermore, the testimony is clear and convincing, insofar as it establishes a pattern or plan of impersonation of a federal officer or official. Finally, by virtue of the fact that the evidence shows a scheme of impersonation identical to that mentioned in the indictment and took place within a two-month period, it is obvious that the testimony was similar in kind and reasonably close in time to the charge at trial. 28 Counsel for the appellant argues that the introduction of the testimony into evidence is prohibited under the rule set forth in United States v. Fierson, 419 F.2d 1020 (7th Cir. 1969). In that case, testimony concerning prior criminal acts was admitted to show intent or willfulness, and the defendant's conviction for impersonating an FBI agent under 18 U.S.C. § 912(1) was reversed. The court found that neither party had raised an issue of intent or willfulness, and although intent was a formal issue in finding the defendant guilty of the offense, no one disputed the issue of intent. The court stated that in order to justify admission into evidence of an accused's prior criminal acts To establish willfulness and intent, it is necessary that willfulness and intent be more than merely formal issues    . (And) a plea of not guilty cannot, by itself, be construed as raising such a keen dispute on the issue of willfulness and intent so as to justify admission of this type of evidence. Id. at 1023 (emphasis supplied). 29 While we do not necessarily agree with this rationale, we are faced with a much different situation here. Although intent was never a disputed issue at the trial, 8 the evidence admitted over the defendant's objection was not offered solely to prove intent or willfulness. Instead, the testimony describes a plan, pattern or common scheme of impersonations so interrelated with the charge in the indictment that it shows the course of conduct leading to the events which form the basis of the crime charged, and is admissible on these grounds. United States v. Adcock, 558 F.2d 397, 401 (8th Cir.), Cert. denied, 434 U.S. 921, 98 S.Ct. 395, 54 L.Ed.2d 277 (1977). As this court recently stated: 30 While it is generally improper to admit evidence of a defendant's criminal acts not charged in the indictment, evidence of other crimes may be presented when 'they are so blended or connected with the one on trial as that proof of one incidentally involves the other; or explains the circumstances thereof; or tends logically to prove any element of the crime charged'  United States v. Miller, 508 F.2d 444, 448-49 (7th Cir. 1974). 31 United States v. Derring, 592 F.2d 1003, 1006-07 (8th Cir. 1979). Rule 404(b) also covers evidence offered to show the Res gestae, 9 and the evidence which describes integral parts of the    crime. 10 32 Our final task is to consider the probative value of the evidence as opposed to its possible prejudicial effect. As this court stated in United States v. Maestas, 554 F.2d 834 (8th Cir.), Cert. denied, 431 U.S. 972, 97 S.Ct. 2936, 53 L.Ed.2d 1070 (1977):Fed.R.Evid. 403 authorizes the district court to exclude such evidence, even though relevant, if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice . . . . Our task is to assess the relevancy and the probative value of the challenged evidence; if it meets the requirements of Rule 404(b) we may not reverse the ruling of the District Court unless we also find that the prejudice from admitting the evidence substantially outweighed its probative value. In making that evaluation, we must give great deference to the district judge, who saw and heard the evidence. United States v. Nichols, 534 F.2d 202 (9th Cir. 1976); United States v. Gocke, 507 F.2d 820, 824 (8th Cir. 1974), Cert. denied, 420 U.S. 979, 95 S.Ct. 1407, 43 L.Ed.2d 660 (1975); United States v. Skillman, 442 F.2d 542, 551-52 (8th Cir.), Cert. denied, 404 U.S. 833, 92 S.Ct. 82, 30 L.Ed.2d 63 (1971). 33 Id. at 836. During the trial, Judge Harris explained to the jury that the testimony of Patterson and Harmon was admitted only to show motive, intent, plans, knowledge and identity, but was not admitted to show that the defendant acted in conformity with the character traits referred to by the witnesses. Furthermore, the same admonition was repeated in the judge's instructions to the jury. 11 In light of these instructions, and because very little of the testimony referred to other crimes, wrongs or acts not charged in the indictment, we find that the probative value of the evidence outweighs its prejudicial effect. 34 Accordingly, we affirm the decision of the district court. 35