Opinion ID: 439324
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: variance between allegation in indictment and proof at trial

Text: 11 Count II of the indictment alleges that Perry knowingly and intentionally did unlawfully distribute to Gerald Chapman approximately three ounces of cocaine .... Perry contends that he was entitled to a judgment of acquittal inasmuch as the evidence adduced at trial tends to show that on June 30, Perry distributed cocaine to Hinton, Sr., not Chapman. We disagree for two reasons. First, there is no variance between the allegation in question and the proof at trial. To be sure, the testimony of the Government's witnesses establishes that Perry never openly discussed the sale of cocaine with Chapman, that Perry did not give the cocaine directly to Chapman, and that Perry did not receive the last $1,550 directly from Chapman. This testimony nevertheless indicates Perry's awareness that Chapman was the intended recipient of at least one-third of the cocaine and that Chapman was the source of at least one-third of the money. In short, the evidence suggests that Perry understood that he was dealing, albeit through an intermediary, with Chapman. 12 Second, even if there were a variance in this case, the district court's failure to enter a judgment of acquittal would not be reversible error, for Perry has not alleged, let alone demonstrated, any prejudice resulting from the asserted variance. In United States v. Cosby, 529 F.2d 143 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 426 U.S. 935, 96 S.Ct. 2647, 49 L.Ed.2d 386 (1976), the court observed: 13 Fed.R.Crim.P. 52(a) provides that an error, defect, irregularity, or variance that does not affect substantial rights is to be disregarded. A variance between indictment and proof in a criminal case may prejudice a defendant substantially if it prevents him from presenting his defense properly, if it takes him unfairly by surprise, or if it exposes him to the risk of double jeopardy. But unless such a variance prejudices the defendant in one or more of those ways, it is not fatal. 14 Id. at 146. Similarly, in United States v. Ramos, 666 F.2d 469 (11th Cir.1982), this court noted: 15 A variance warrants reversal solely if it is prejudicial, meaning that it affects substantial rights, either by insufficiently informing him of the charges against him such that he is taken by surprise and prevented from presenting a proper defense, or by affording him insufficient protection against reprosecution for the same offense. United States v. Juarez, 573 F.2d 267, 278 (5th Cir.1978). 16 Id. at 477. Regardless of who is identified as the distributee, the allegation at issue plainly refers to the drug transaction which occurred at the Municipal Auditorium in Columbus on June 30. It is difficult to imagine how Perry would have presented his defense--that the four met to discuss the sale of recording equipment--differently or what other defenses he would have presented had Count II named Hinton, Sr. instead of Chapman. In addition, the trial transcript reflects no unfair surprise attributable to the wording of the allegation. Finally, we perceive no threat of double jeopardy. See United States v. Lewis, 426 F.2d 266, 267 (9th Cir.1970). Finding neither a variance nor any prejudice, we hold that there was no reversible error in this regard.