Opinion ID: 517722
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Cindy Luke Statements

Text: 34 Monroe contends that the trial court erred in allowing the testimony of Steven Jernigan regarding Cindy Luke's statements. The government counters that the trial court correctly allowed this testimony. 3 35 Prior to trial, Cindy Luke died. Monroe contends that Jernigan's testimony about Cindy's statements was inadmissible under both the coconspirator and against penal interest exceptions to the hearsay rule. Monroe argues that these statements are not admissible under the coconspirator exception because they were not made in furtherance of the conspiracy. Monroe asserts that these statements are also inadmissible under the against penal interest exception of Fed.R.Evid. 804(b)(3) which provides:(b) Hearsay exceptions. The following are not excluded by the hearsay rule if the declarant is unavailable as a witness: .... 36 (3) Statement against interest. A statement which was at the time of its making so far contrary to the declarant's pecuniary or proprietary interests, or so far tended to subject the declarant to civil or criminal liability, or to render invalid a claim by the declarant against another, that a reasonable person in the declarant's position would not have made the statement unless believing it to be true. A statement tending to expose the declarant to criminal liability and offered to exculpate the accused is not admissible unless corroborating circumstances clearly indicate the trustworthiness of the statement. 37 See United States v. Alvarez, 584 F.2d 694, 699-702 (5th Cir.1978); and United States v. Harrell, 788 F.2d 1524, 1526-27 (11th Cir.1986). Monroe contends that this exception is inapplicable because Cindy did not implicate herself in the plan to make methamphetamine. She only implicated her husband, Bill Luke. 38 The government concedes that Jernigan's testimony regarding Cindy Luke's statements did not qualify as statements against her penal interests. The government, however, argues that a reasonable inference can be drawn that Cindy Luke's comments to her brother were more than informative. Considered in light of her brother's subsequent conduct, the government argues that Cindy's statements may be construed as being in furtherance of the conspiracy because she expressed her knowledge of and her tacit approval of her husband's activities in which her brother subsequently actively assisted. The government contends that Cindy Luke's knowledge and apparent approval of Bill Luke's and Don Monroe's activities could be seen as statements made in furtherance of the conspiracy. 39 Whether a statement is in furtherance of the conspiracy must be determined on the particular facts of each case, with that determination overturned only if clearly erroneous. Posner at 1537. See Section I. We hold that the district court did not err in admitting the testimony of Steve Jernigan regarding Cindy Luke's statements because the statements may be construed to have induced Jernigan to join the conspiracy.