Opinion ID: 694763
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Tate's Mistrial Motion.

Text: 47 Defendant Tate argues that the district court erred when it denied his motion for mistrial after Atkin's relationship with Jones came to light. Tate argues that Atkin's relationship with Jones, coupled with the fact that his lawyer did not learn of that relationship until mid-trial, impaired his lawyer's ability to represent him. Specifically, Tate argues that, had his lawyer been aware of Atkin's relationship with a government witness, he would have been much less likely to share information and strategy with him. 48 This court reviews the denial of a mistrial motion for abuse of discretion and will find an abuse only if an error rendered [the trial] unfair. United States v. Atisha, 804 F.2d 920, 926-27 (6th Cir.1986), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 1067 (1987). A mistrial is appropriate only when a seriously prejudicial error occurs. United States v. Moore, 917 F.2d 215, 220 (6th Cir.1990), cert. denied, 499 U.S. 963 (1991). 49 Tate has failed to make any concrete allegation regarding how Atkin's relationship with Jones prejudiced the fairness of his trial. At most, Tate posits a hypothetical injury that could have resulted from Atkin's conduct. He makes no specific showing as to how Atkin's relationship with Jones actually impaired his defense. No seriously prejudicial error occurred, and the district court did not abuse its discretion by denying Tate's mistrial motion. 50