Opinion ID: 2974181
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Summary of Recorded Conversations

Text: As mentioned earlier, during their investigation of defendant, law enforcement agents arranged for certain conversations between Richardson and defendant to be recorded. During trial, Officer Burchwell was asked to summarize what he heard during one conversation. Defense counsel objected on the ground that the tapes would later be introduced at trial. The AUSA responded, “I’m not asking what’s on the tape. I’m asking what he heard, so the best evidence rule does not apply.” The district court overruled the objection and Officer Burchwell recounted the terms of a pending drug transaction. Federal Rule of Evidence 611(a) provides as follows: The court shall exercise reasonable control over the mode and order of interrogating witnesses and presenting evidence so as to (1) make the interrogation and presentation effective for the ascertainment of the truth, (2) avoid needless - 10 - No. 05-5257 United States v. Gomez consumption of time, and (3) protect witnesses from harassment or undue embarrassment. Fed. R. Evid. 611(a). A trial court’s control over the order and nature of evidence is reviewed for abuse of discretion. Argentine v. United Steelworkers of America, 287 F.3d 476, 486 (6th Cir. 2002). We begin by noting that the tapes were played while Officer Burchwell was testifying, not at a point much later in the trial. His testimony merely provided context based upon his personal knowledge of what occurred. Moreover, because the recordings were played in their entirety, Federal Rule of Evidence 1006, which governs the summary “voluminous” materials, is not apposite. The district court did not abuse its discretion in permitting this testimony.