Opinion ID: 550346
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Cocaine and Conspiracy Case

Text: 26 Of the arguments raised by Parkin on appeal in the Cocaine and Conspiracy Case, only three merit discussion. Parkin's first alleged error contains two distinct arguments. The first part is a veiled argument that evidence elicited from the government informant Ghidina concerning other drug transactions within the time period of the alleged conspiracy was unduly prejudicial under Federal Rule of Evidence 403 and thus should have been excluded. The second part concerns the credibility of Ghidina. Finally, Parkin claims the home invasion was unrelated to the conspiracy; thus that testimony should not have been allowed. 27 Rule 403 permits the trial judge to exclude evidence if the probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. We will not reverse a trial judge's decision concerning the admissibility of evidence absent an abuse of discretion. United States v. Blanton, 884 F.2d 973, 977 (7th Cir.1989). Parkin's attorney raised the defense of entrapment during his opening statement. The government introduced evidence of other drug transactions to rebut this defense. Although there was evidence of transactions both before and after September 11, 1987, this court has rejected any rule that subsequent acts are per se inadmissible to show predisposition. United States v. Moschiano, 695 F.2d 236, 244 (7th Cir.1982), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 831, 104 S.Ct. 110, 78 L.Ed.2d 111 (1983). The trial judge gave limiting instructions during trial that the evidence was introduced only for the purpose of showing intent, knowledge or predisposition. These transactions were close in time to the September 11, 1987 transaction and involved illegal drugs. They were between Parkin and the same government informant. The probative value outweighed any prejudicial effect this evidence may have had. At issue were short statements which were only briefly before the jury. They were relevant to the issue of predisposition. In sum, the trial judge did not abuse his discretion in allowing the statements into evidence. 28 The second argument concerns the credibility of the government informant, Ghidina. But as we have consistently held, credibility determinations are for the jury. United States v. Fozo, 904 F.2d 1166 (7th Cir.1990). 29 The final argument centers on the introduction of testimony regarding the home invasion. Parkin argues that the invasion was not in furtherance of the conspiracy. But the case which Parkin relies on in support of this argument does not involve a conspiracy. Parkin cites United States v. Daniels, 572 F.2d 535 (5th Cir.1978), for the proposition that evidence that has no probative value and is inflammatory is inadmissible. This statement is true enough, but it does not aid us in determining whether the invasion was in furtherance of the conspiracy. Here, evidence of an overt act charged in the indictment was clearly probative. The question remains whether the act was in furtherance of the conspiracy. 30 Parkin is charged with conspiracy. The indictment charged that one of the overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy was the home invasion by two of Parkin's co-conspirators. Anderson testified that he acted as a courier of drugs and money between Rosalez and Wooten. This facilitated drug distribution by the conspiracy. Anderson's home was invaded for the purpose of retrieving the drugs and money that had been given to Anderson to shuttle to Wooten. The home invasion was in furtherance of the conspiracy to distribute cocaine. 31 The argument that Parkin did not take part in the home invasion is unavailing. Under the doctrine established in Pinkerton v. United States, 328 U.S. 640, 66 S.Ct. 1180, 90 L.Ed. 1489 (1946), conspirators are responsible for acts committed by co-conspirators in furtherance of the conspiracy. United States v. Troop, 890 F.2d 1393 (7th Cir.1989). Therefore, the admission of testimony regarding the home invasion was proper.