Opinion ID: 71073
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: issues

Text: The issues we address in this appeal are: (1) whether a material variance or misjoinder occurred; (2) whether sufficient evidence existed to establish that appellants conspired to participate in the RICO enterprise; (3) whether the district court's instructions and the prosecutor's summations constructively amended the RICO conspiracy count of the indictment; (4) whether appellants were properly convicted for bribery under 18 U.S.C. § 666(a)(2); (5) whether appellants were properly convicted for mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341, 1346; (6) whether prosecutorial misconduct occurred through impermissible vouching for witness's credibility and through improper remarks; and (7) whether the district court abused its discretion in excluding appellants' proffered evidence. STANDARDS OF REVIEW This appeal involves multiple issues requiring differing standards of review. We review the claim of a material variance through viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government to determine whether a reasonable trier of fact could have found that a single conspiracy existed beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Reed, 980 F.2d 1568, 1581 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, 509 U.S. 932, 113 S.Ct. 3063, 125 L.Ed.2d 745 (1993). We will uphold the conviction unless the variance (1) was material and (2) substantially prejudiced the defendant. Reed, 980 F.2d at 1581. Our review of the claim of a misjoinder is plenary. United States v. Morales, 868 F.2d 1562, 1567 (11th Cir.1989). We review the sufficiency of the evidence de novo, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government and drawing all reasonable inferences in favor of the jury's verdict. United States v. Church, 955 F.2d 688, 693 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, 506 U.S. 881, 113 S.Ct. 233, 121 L.Ed.2d 169 (1992). In evaluating whether the indictment was constructively amended, we review the district court's jury instructions and the prosecutor's summation in context to determine whether an expansion of the indictment occurred either literally or in effect. United States v. Behety, 32 F.3d 503, 509 (11th Cir.1994), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 115 S.Ct. 2568, 132 L.Ed.2d 820 (1995). In reviewing the claim of prosecutorial misconduct, we assess (1) whether the challenged comments were improper and (2) if so, whether they prejudicially affected the substantial rights of the defendant. United States v. Obregon, 893 F.2d 1307, 1310 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, 494 U.S. 1090, 110 S.Ct. 1833, 108 L.Ed.2d 961 (1990). We review a district court's evidentiary rulings for abuse of discretion. United States v. Calle, 822 F.2d 1016, 1020 (11th Cir.1987). Finally, our review of a district court's legal conclusion is de novo. United States v. Waymer, 55 F.3d 564, 568 (11th Cir.1995).