Opinion ID: 6111649
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Count 3: Christina Yako

Text: Sufficient evidence supported the jury’s conclusion that Yako overdosed on drugs she bought from “Polo.” She and her friend, Randy Odish, both testified that they bought heroin from “Polo” on February 20, 2016, shortly before Yako overdosed. Phone records showed that Odish called the x3399 number that evening. Immediately after using those drugs, Yako “passed out,” “[h]er lips [turned] bluish-purple,” and “she [began] bleeding from her mouth.” (Odish Test., R. 717, Page ID ##5443–44). When the paramedics arrived, she was taking only six breaths per minute, which is not life-sustaining. The paramedics and the doctors at the hospital administered two doses of Narcan, at which point Yako became fully alert. Dr. Mills testified that her medical condition was consistent with an opioid overdose—either heroin or fentanyl— and, without medical attention, she would have died. In arguing that this evidence is insufficient, Tempo highlights that Odish’s memory was clouded by past drug use, that he was a convicted felon, and that he had previously lied to law enforcement. He also highlighted inconsistencies in Yako’s testimony about whether she or Odish called the “Polo” phone. But these arguments amount to “non-reviewable credibility questions.” United States v. Whyte, 795 F. App’x 353, 363–64 (6th Cir. 2019). Tempo also argues that there were no phone records produced for either Odish’s phone or Yako’s phone that evening. This is simply incorrect. Evidence showed that Odish’s phone had “seven contacts” with the x3399 “Polo” number on February 20, 2016. (Witt Test., R. 726, Page ID #6393). Finally, Tempo argues that “because Yako injected Xanax all day long on February 20, 2016, that drug could have independently caused” her overdose. (Def. Tempo Br. at 31). Yako admitted that she used Xanax that day, but the jury was entitled to credit Dr. Mills’ conclusion that Yako’s positive reaction to Narcan “shows that it was an opioid intoxication,” and that Nos. 19-2217/2221/20-1177 United States v. Sadler, et al. Page 30 “[t]here was no other explanation for [her reaction to Narcan].” (Mills Test., R. 703, Page ID #3865). The jury could have concluded that this evidence established but-for causation despite Yako’s Xanax use. See United States v. Smith, 656 F. App’x 70, 74 (6th Cir. 2016) (finding sufficient evidence of but-for causation when victim had “numerous substances in her body, including a lethal dose of oxycodone,” which was the drug the defendant allegedly distributed).