Opinion ID: 203288
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Murder of Trumpi & Shooting of Espada

Text: Because Appellant did not object at trial to Agent Toro's statements about Trumpi's murder, the subsequent attempted shooting of Espada, and Espada's flight from Covadonga, we review their admission only for plain error. The statements were not so unfairly prejudicial as to violate Rule 403. The evidence had probative value because it helped to explain to the jury, first, why Espada stopped making videotapes and, second, the circumstances under which Feliciano assumed power at Covadonga, thus providing relevant contextual information. By contrast the danger of unfair prejudice was slight, considering the brevity of the testimony and the fact that Agent Toro did not expressly implicate Appellant in Trumpi's murder or in the shooting of Espada. Appellant has not shown that the potential for undue prejudice outweighed, let alone substantially outweighed, the probative value of Toro's statements. If there was any error, it was harmless, in light of ample evidence establishing Appellant's guilt of the charged crimes. See United States v. Taylor, 284 F.3d 95, 102 (1st Cir.2002).