Opinion ID: 409350
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: In Furtherance

Text: 18 The defendants more vehemently insist that their conversations were not in furtherance of the conspiracy. They argue that the discussions actually had the contrary effect of furthering the government's investigatory and prosecutorial ends. Certainly Reid had no intention of furthering the conspiracy and, they argue, no one had any intent of stealing more explosives after April of 1980. With respect to the orders placed by the Hamiltons, it is argued that the transactions could have no effect on Wright or Salisbury since Reid was no agent of theirs after his arrest and since his arrest made Reid incapable of filling those orders. With respect to the Wright and Salisbury conversations, the contention is repeated that there was no genuine intent to collect money but rather their discussions were idle conversations skillfully generated by Reid, a coached government agent. 19 The defendants' arguments do not further their aims, however. We made it clear in U. S. v. Thompson, 533 F.2d 1006, 1010 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 429 U.S. 939, 97 S.Ct. 353, 50 L.Ed.2d 308 (1976), that where, as here, the unarrested coconspirators are still capable of perpetuating the ongoing conspiracy, the statements made by them to the arrested conspirator are admissible for Rule 801(d)(2)(E) purposes, even when the arrested conspirator was acting under the direction and surveillance of government agents to obtain evidence against the coconspirators. Citing U. S. v. Cohen, 197 F.2d 26, 29 (3rd Cir. 1952); accord, U. S. v. Testa, 548 F.2d 847, 852 (9th Cir. 1977), citing U. S. v. Bennett, 409 F.2d 888, 893-894 (2d Cir. 1969); see also U. S. v. Register, 496 F.2d 1072, 1079 (5th Cir. 1974), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 1120, 95 S.Ct. 802, 42 L.Ed.2d 819 (1975), and U. S. v. Sarno, 456 F.2d 875, 878 (1st Cir. 1972). This is buttressed by the principle that it is no defense that success was impossible because of unknown circumstances. 16 Am.Jur.2d 225 (2d ed. 1979). The practical effect, for this issue, is that Reid was still a full partner in the venture and, when seen in this light, the conversations were clearly a furtherance thereof. It is simply one of the risks engaged by conspirators that one amongst them may turn government agent and that future conversations with him may return to haunt them. Having taken that risk, they cannot now complain after finding out Reid's true function as an individual cooperating with the government in its investigation and after damaging conversations were introduced at trial. Cf., U. S. v. Craig, 573 F.2d 455, 477 (7th Cir. 1977), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 820, 99 S.Ct. 83, 58 L.Ed.2d 110 (1978), Hoffa v. U. S., 385 U.S. 293, 87 S.Ct. 408, 17 L.Ed.2d 374 (1966). We thus turn to the nature of those conversations. 20 Nothing is more clear than that the orders placed by the Hamiltons were in furtherance of the conspiracy. 4 The same goals were furthered in exactly the same manner as previously done. Even mere assurances to coconspirators that one has an outlet for their goods has been held to be in furtherance of the conspiracy. U. S. v. Scholle, 553 F.2d 1109, 1119 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 940, 98 S.Ct. 432, 54 L.Ed.2d 300 (1977). See also U. S. v. Thompson, supra; cf. Direct Sales Co. v. U. S., 319 U.S. 703, 711, 63 S.Ct. 1265, 1269, 87 L.Ed. 1674 (1943), and U. S. v. Borelli, 336 F.2d 376, 384 (2d Cir. 1964), cert. denied, 379 U.S. 960, 85 S.Ct. 647, 13 L.Ed.2d 555 (1965). 21 The remaining conspirators had different ends differently furthered. It is academic that to be a party one must have some stake in the conspiracy, but that each party need not have the same stake; merely acting for the venture's success is sufficient. 15A C.J.S. 724 Conspiracy § 35(1) (1967). Cf., U. S. v. Perry, 643 F.2d 38, 45 (2d Cir. 1981), cert. denied, 454 U.S. 835, 102 S.Ct. 138, 70 L.Ed.2d 115 (a single conspiracy may have more than one criminal object). So there is no contradiction in the Hamiltons not having interests identical with the remaining conspirators. Reid, Wright and Salisbury were in the scheme solely to make money. This is apparent not only in Reid's testimony but also in the statements of both the Hamiltons, so any allegation that making money was not a conscious purpose of the conspiracy, but was a government-induced fabrication, is without merit. The case law gives ample support to the proposition that payment is an integral and often final term in a conspiracy. Direct Sales, supra, 319 U.S. at 713, 63 S.Ct. at 1270; U. S. v. Hickey, 596 F.2d 1082, 1089-1090 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 444 U.S. 853, 100 S.Ct. 107, 62 L.Ed.2d 70 (1979); U. S. v. Smith, 578 F.2d 1227, 1233 n. 12 (8th Cir. 1978); Testa, supra, 548 F.2d at 852. See also 15A C.J.S. 725-726 (1967). Thus the conversations with Wright and Reid clearly furthered the conspiracy's explicit ends, making plans to collect money due. 22 Additionally there is nowhere proposed, as the defendants would have it, that the statements must actually further the conspiracy to be admissible. Rule 801(d)(2)(E) explicitly says statements need be in furtherance of the conspiracy, not that they further the conspiracy. It is enough that they be intended to promote the conspiratorial objectives. U. S. v. Fielding, 645 F.2d 719 (9th Cir. 1981), provides no assistance for the defendants. The Ninth Circuit observed that (o)rders from one conspirator to the other to stop using heroin so that he could be 'cleaned up' enough to distribute the drug, or the actual negotiation of a sale, 'furthered the objectives of the alleged conspiracy because they set in motion transactions that were an integral part of the heroin distribution scheme.'  Id. at 726 (emphasis added by the Fielding Court; citations omitted). Actual furtherance was not designated as a new and additional criterion of admissibility; the Court was merely providing a very clear example for distinguishing that type of statement from those not intended to promote further conspiratorial ends, such as where one was merely informing his common-law wife about his activities. Id. at 727. It is also contended that here, as in Fielding, there were arguments over money past due, so that there would be no furtherance of the conspiracy where the conspiracy ... had degenerated into after-the-fact internecine quarrels and beliefs of betrayal. Id. But the situation there was extreme, as extra men were enlisted as muscle and use of a machete was considered, while here plans were made for essentially a verbal confrontation. Furthermore, as the conspiracy here was so close-knit, cooperative payment would appear integral to its continuance. In any case, we recognize that where the admissibility of the coconspirators' statements presents a close call we should not disturb the district court's finding. U. S. v. Provenzano, 620 F.2d 985, 1001 (3rd Cir.), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 899, 101 S.Ct. 267, 66 L.Ed.2d 129 (1980). 23 Finally it is significant to reiterate that no defendant disputes that his own conversation would have been properly accepted into evidence as an admission. The further acceptance of the conversations as statements of coconspirators, even were that improper, would not necessarily require reversal, especially where the government's case is a strong one and where their use against coconspirators is largely cumulative. Cf. Smith, supra, 578 F.2d at 1233-1234, and Lutwak v. U. S., 344 U.S. 604, esp. at 619, 73 S.Ct. 481, 490, 97 L.Ed. 593 (1953). Here, in addition to Reid's testimony, the admissions and adoptive admissions of the defendants were sufficient to show that each defendant had knowledge of the operation and its nature and revealed each one's voluntary participation in it. Each defendant effectively hung himself and, as the statements of his coconspirators were essentially consistent, corroborative and cumulative, they simply provided more rope. 5