Opinion ID: 2998114
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Jenkins’ Issues

Text: Jenkins first claims that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient to sustain his conviction on the cocaine distribution counts. As with the conspiracy count, Jenkins does not meet the difficult burden placed on a defendant making a sufficiency of the evidence challenge. First and foremost, Jenkins admitted to police that it was his cocaine that was found in Diedre Keys’ apartment, and that he engaged in cocaine distribution. Also, the prosecution presented recorded phone calls between Jenkins and Reed in which they discussed cocaine distribution, and testimony from other associates regarding the cocaine distribution conspiracy. Given this evidence, a rational jury could convict on these counts. Next, Jenkins argues that the trial court erred when it denied his motion to identify and produce a confidential informant (“CI”). We review for abuse of discretion. United States v. Valles, 41 F.3d 355, 358 (7th Cir. 1994). Jenkins failed to show a compelling need to identify the CI that outweighed the public interest in non-disclosure. Lastly, Jenkins challenges the district court’s evidentiary ruling with respect to the statements made by his girlfriend, Diedre Keys. Officer Vincent Humphrey testified about the details of the search of Keys’ home. Part of his testimony included statements Keys made to him regarding the crack cocaine located in her kitchen. Jenkins argues Nos. 04-1176, 04-1177, 04-1231 & 04-2009 7 that these statements were hearsay and should not have been admitted into evidence. We review for abuse of discretion. United States v. Bonty, 383 F.3d 575, 579 (7th Cir. 2004). The testimony was not hearsay because it was not offered to prove the fact that the cocaine belonged to Jenkins. Officer Humphrey was asked on cross-examination about whether he had read Keys her rights and about his police report which stated that Keys told the police that “Jenkins told her that she left a little something under the kitchen cabinet.” Humphrey testified that Keys told him that Jenkins had left the crack under the cabinet and explained that the report contained a typo—that “she” should have been written “he”. Jenkins’ attorney attempted to show, through the inconsistency in the report and the fact that Keys was given Miranda warnings, that the police actually believed that the crack belonged to Keys. By doing so, he took a risk and opened the door to Keys’ statements that attributed the drugs to Jenkins. Her statements were offered to show why the police did not believe the crack to be hers and why she was not arrested. There was no abuse of discretion in admitting the statements.