Opinion ID: 461592
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Claims Initially Raised by Martin

Text: 54 Admission of Tape Recorded Conversation between Ricci and Alvaro 55 At trial, Albert Ricci testified to handing an envelope containing ten thousand dollars in protection money directly to James Martin. On re-direct examination, to rebut defense counsel's implied charge that Ricci constructed this story as a bargaining chip when Ricci sought immunity from prosecution, the government played a tape recorded conversation between Ricci and Alvaro where Ricci states that he passed the money to Martin. The court admitted the statement under Federal Rule of Evidence 801(d)(1)(B), which excludes from the definition of hearsay prior statements where [t]he declarant testifies at the trial ... and the statement is ... consistent with his testimony and is offered to rebut an express or implied charge against him of recent fabrication. When Alvaro made the tape, Ricci was unaware of the fact that this conversation was being recorded, and had not yet decided to inform the United States Attorney about his involvement in the protection scheme. On appeal, Martin suggests that because Ricci knew that he was a target of the grand jury investigation, Ricci had a motive to falsify his story to Alvaro, and consequently, the court erred in admitting Ricci's prior consistent statement. 56 The timing of consistent prior statements divides the courts of appeals. Compare United States v. Quinto, 582 F.2d 224, 234 (2d Cir.1978) (reversing conviction when prior consistent statement made after the motive to falsify arose) with United States v. Parodi, 703 F.2d 768, 784-85 (4th Cir.1983) (prior existence of motive to fabricate does not render the prior consistent statement inadmissible). We find it unnecessary to enter this debate here, as Martin fails to support his assertion with any evidence. The record, fairly read, indicates that Ricci addressed Alvaro as his former commanding officer, a coconspirator, and had no idea that the conversation would be of any value to him in the future. That Ricci's recorded statements are inculpatory, not exculpatory, evidences a lack of guile that supports the interpretation that the conversation occurred before Ricci decided to talk to the prosecutors. See United States v. Rohrer, 708 F.2d 429, 433 (9th Cir.1983). In sum, we cannot discern a motive to falsify arising prior to the conversation, and therefore find no error in the court's admission of the tape. 57 Alvaro's Interpretation of Martin's Recorded Statements 58 Martin argues that the trial court abused its discretion in allowing Alvaro to testify as to his understanding of tape recorded conversations between Alvaro and Martin. Under Federal Rule of Evidence 701, lay witnesses may state their understanding of the use of another person's statements only if rationally based on the perception of a witness and helpful either to an understanding of the testimony of the witness on the stand or to the determination of a fact in issue. United States v. Cox, 633 F.2d 871, 875 (9th Cir.1980), cert. denied, 454 U.S. 844, 102 S.Ct. 159, 70 L.Ed.2d 130 (1981). Martin's language on the tapes is sharp and abbreviated, composed with unfinished sentences and punctuated with ambiguous references to events that are clear only to Martin and his audience. To the uninitiated listener, Martin speaks as if he were using code. Alvaro's opinions are based upon his direct perception of the event, are not speculative, and are helpful to the determination of Martin's involvement in the protection scheme and the subsequent attempt to silence Ricci with hush money. Moreover, the trial court vigorously policed the government's examination of Alvaro to ensure that he was not asked to interpret relatively clear statements. Under these circumstances, we find that the court did not abuse its discretion. Sufficiency of Evidence for Obstruction 59 Counts Three through Five of the indictment charged James Martin with obstruction of justice. These counts were based upon Martin's payment of money to Ricci on three separate occasions: five hundred dollars on February 17 and March 26, and one thousand dollars on April 8, 1984. On appeal, Martin argues that the evidence presented at trial failed to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Martin intended these payments to ensure Ricci's silence. 60 Martin contends that the evidence concerning his intent is ambiguous, and that the payments were merely loans advanced to his friend and neighbor, Albert Ricci. Our review of the evidence, viewed in the light favorable to the government, convinces us that the jury could have reasonably found that Martin's payments were intended to prevent Ricci from testifying about Martin's participation in the extortion conspiracy. The record is replete with offers by Martin to arrange to get Ricci a job, to support Ricci while he served time in prison, and to pay for Ricci's legal fees. Martin's admission that he owes Ricci financial support because Ricci is going to bat for him and that Ricci could expect this support only if Martin retained his freedom and Ricci kept his mouth shut supports the inference that these offers are not solely altruistic.