Opinion ID: 790329
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Testimony from Gang Expert

Text: 62 Smith first challenges the district court's denial of his request to appoint Dr. John Hagedorn under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(e), which authorizes trial courts to appoint experts for indigent defendants if the services are necessary for adequate representation. Smith argues that Dr. Hagedorn's testimony, which would have explained gang life and drug trafficking to the jury, was necessary because it would have independently corroborated his coercion defense and undermined the government's theory that Smith was dealing drugs for the money. The district court refused to appoint Dr. Hagedorn in a pre-trial ruling, opining that his testimony was neither helpful nor admissible. When Smith renewed his request to appoint Dr. Hagedorn at trial, the district court reaffirmed its ruling, reasoning that Dr. Hagedorn's testimony is just not necessary under the 700 series of the rules of evidence, was not necessary for this jury's consideration [and] there's been plenty of testimony about what gangs do and what they don't do in Chicago on the South Side. We review the district court's decision for abuse of discretion. United States v. Daniels, 64 F.3d 311, 315 (7th Cir.1995). 63 Dr. Hagedorn, a criminal justice professor at the University of Illinois-Chicago who has focused his scholarship on innercity youth gangs, would have testified that the Black Disciples operate within a highly structured hierarchy where failure to follow gang rules often results in swift and violent penalties, including death. Leaving the gang can be a hazardous undertaking, involving beatings and fines. A gang member that cooperates with law enforcement puts himself and his family at risk of death or serious injury. Furthermore, gangs are driven by profits from drugs sales, and debts are taken seriously and seldom forgiven. 64 Smith sought to introduce the above-recited testimony to bolster his own testimony that he was kidnapped, beaten, and threatened by the Black Disciples in early 1998 over a debt he incurred by leaving the gang in 1993, effectively coercing him to return to dealing drugs. Smith asserts that Dr. Hagedorn's testimony also would have explained why Smith did not go to the police after the Black Disciples kidnapped and threatened him. In addition, Smith maintains that gang life and drug trafficking are beyond the ken of the average juror. In response, the government argues that Dr. Hagedorn's testimony was unnecessary under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(e) because the jury already had heard similar testimony from a number of witnesses. We agree with the government. 65 First, we doubt that the substance of Dr. Hagedorn's testimony was beyond the ken of the average juror. Most jurors are aware that gang members deal drugs, commit violent acts, and react unfavorably when their misdeeds are reported to authorities. Second, Dr. Hagedorn's description of gang life in Chicago would have been a needless rehashing of ground covered by prior witnesses. For example, FBI Agent Yun, the first witness called by the government, testified that Black Disciple gang leaders may punish a member's violation of a gang rule by ordering that member to be beaten, or even murdered. Allen acknowledged his past membership and role in the Black Disciples, testified about the violent nature of drug trafficking, and stated that there were consequences if people owed him money. Samuel Redding admitted that he was affiliated with the Black Disciples and that the gang pressured him to participate in illegal activity. Palmore acknowledged participation in the beatings of other Black Disciple members on multiple occasions and said that a Black Disciple gang member could not go to the police because it could cost him his life. Smith himself testified extensively about the modus operandi of the Black Disciples. In light of the testimony of Agent Yun, Allen, Redding, Palmore, and Smith about the violent and coercive nature of the Black Disciples, Dr. Hagedorn's testimony was cumulative and unnecessary. The district court did not abuse its discretion by denying Smith's requests to appoint Dr. Hagedorn.