Opinion ID: 625938
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Cumulative Effect of Errors at Trial

Text: Miller contends that, to the extent none of the above-described allegations of error provide sufficient grounds for reversal of his conviction, their cumulative prejudicial impact is such that he should nevertheless be entitled to a new trial.18 See United States v. Rogers, 556 F.3d 1130, 1144 (10th Cir. 2009) (“The purpose of cumulative error analysis is to address whether the cumulative effect of two or more individually harmless errors has the potential to prejudice a defendant to the same extent as a single reversible error.” (quotation omitted)). We disagree. Miller has identified, at most, two erroneous evidentiary rulings at the trial court level: the admission of Exhibit 1-2 (the summary chart) and the admission of Exhibit 2009 (the review appraisal)19. As set forth supra Part III.A.1., Exhibit 1-2 was harmless in relation to Miller’s convictions for counts 5,9, and 10 because each of those counts related to a discrete instance of criminal conduct, i.e. the Jordan Transaction, which was less susceptible to misleading summarization than the counts for which the admission of Exhibit 1-2 was not harmless. Similarly, as set forth supra Part III.A.2., Exhibit 2009 was harmless in relation to Miller’s convictions for counts 5, 9, and 10 because it was but one of many pieces of evidence linking him to 18 Irvin does not join in Miller’s request for a cumulative-error analysis. 19 As set forth supra Part III.A.2, the court has assumed, without deciding, the admission of Exhibit 2009 was erroneous. -38- fraudulent conduct in connection with the Jordan Transaction. Even when both are excluded from consideration, the court has no grave doubt as to whether the verdict would have been the same because extensive witness testimony connects Miller to the Jordan Transaction and details the misrepresentations he made in connection with it. The court therefore declines to reverse Miller’s convictions on counts 5, 9, and 10 because of cumulative error.