Opinion ID: 565275
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Bruton claim.

Text: 43 Mares' first argument is that Agent Georges should not have been allowed to testify because, having relied, at least in part, upon the incriminating statements of the nontestifying codefendants, which statements the appellant claims would have been inadmissible under Bruton, full and effective cross-examination of the Agent was not possible. 5 While Mares acknowledges that Rule 703 permits expert witnesses, in some circumstances, to rely upon inadmissible evidence in forming an opinion, 6 he contends that the Rule does not extend to statements that are inadmissible under Bruton. The appellant claims that permitting Agent Georges to testify created a catch-22, with the government prohibited by Bruton from bringing the statements in on direct, and the defendant unwilling to probe the matter on cross-examination for fear that the statements would seriously damage his case. As such, Mares argues that his right to confront and to cross-examine Agent Georges effectively was violated. 44 This argument rests upon an assumption that we are not willing to make. Mares simply assumes that Agent Georges, having been shown the codefendants' statements, necessarily relied on them (at least to the extent they were inculpatory). However, we are unable to tell from the record anything about the statements, or which parts, if any, were a basis for the Agent's opinion. 45 Rule 705 of the Federal Rules of Evidence permits an expert to testify to his opinions and give reasons for those opinions without disclosing the underlying facts, unless the court requires otherwise or they are elicited in cross-examination. The Agent in this case did indicate the bases of his opinion on direct examination, and he did not mention the codefendants' statements. While Mares's concerns about cross-examining the expert about his potential reliance on such statements in front of the jury are understandable, Mares failed to take advantage of steps that were available to make a meaningful record and preserve the point for appeal. 46 Mares did not ask the court to order further disclosure, nor did he seek to question Agent Georges on voir dire outside the presence of the jury to inquire about the facts underlying his opinion. This could easily have been done, without risk to the defense. Similarly, Mares made no offer of proof with respect to what he expected cross-examination to disclose; nor did he ask the court to require the government to make an offer of proof with respect to what the Agent would respond. 7 47 The Sixth Amendment issue Mares raises is troubling, but we cannot deal with issues in a vacuum. As the Federal Rules recognize, see Fed.R.Evid. 103(a)(2), (b) & (c), a proper record is all-important. We therefore do not intimate any opinion on the merits of Mares's argument, but instead underscore that the party objecting to an expert's opinion because of perceived defects in its bases must preserve the point by assuring an adequate record for review of what the purported basis is, and whether it is permissible or impermissible. 48