Opinion ID: 515452
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Proof Through Use of Estimates

Text: 18 We also reject Reitano's contention that the amounts wagered on May 10 were not adequately proven because the proof consisted of estimates. [I]t has long been established that 'the result of the witness[es]' observation[s] need not be positive or absolute certainty....'  United States v. Evans, 484 F.2d 1178, 1181 (2d Cir.1973) (quoting 2 Wigmore, Evidence Sec. 657 (3d ed. 1940)); cf. Fed.R.Evid. 701 (allowing witnesses to testify as to inferences, if based on their perceptions and helpful to determine a fact in issue). Thus, when an undercover agent has observed a gambling operation, he is permitted to testify as to his estimate of the amounts wagered while he was present. United States v. Zemek, 634 F.2d at 1178. In such circumstances, any imprecision in the estimates is a matter to be argued to the jury rather than a reason for excluding the evidence. 19 The estimates on which principal reliance was placed in the present case were given by agent Glass and two of Reitano's employees. All were at the club on May 10, and all based their estimates on their personal observations. Their testimony was properly received in evidence. 20 Finally, taken in the light most favorable to the government, the evidence was ample to permit a rational juror to find beyond a reasonable doubt that in the first blackjack game alone the amounts bet by players other than the bank player exceeded $2,000. This evidence included estimates by Glass that in about one hour the players other than the dealer bet an average of $240-$250 per hand and that about 10 hands were played. One of the housemen who observed this game for a similar length of time estimated that an average of $100-$200 per hand was bet and that 8-10 hands were played per hour. Thus, estimates of the amounts bet ranged from $800 per hour to $2,500 per hour. Since the doorman testified that this game was in operation from 1 a.m. until at least 7 a.m. with only a 10-minute break, the jury was permitted to infer that the total amount of the wagers handled by the house on May 10, excluding money put up by the bank player, was at least $4,600 to $14,600.