Opinion ID: 1433865
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Admission of Evidence Regarding the 1995 Evaluation of the Plant

Text: The district court allowed testimony by Karen Harrison, a civil engineer, on a number of subjects, including an evaluation of the plant she conducted in 1995. Mike Holden operated the plant during this time. In evaluating the plant, Harrison discovered incomplete and implausible data very similar to that found by investigators in 2003, which led to the charges against the Holdens. Harrison sent a letter documenting these irregularities to city officials, including Larry Holden. Here, Mike Holden argues that this was propensity evidence that should have been excluded under Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b). Because this issue was not preserved for appeal, we review for plain error. Johnson v. United States, 520 U.S. 461, 467, 117 S.Ct. 1544, 137 L.Ed.2d 718 (1997). Rule 404(b) prohibits the use of extrinsic evidence of a person's other crimes, wrongs, or acts to show that a person acted in conformity with them. Intrinsic evidence does not fall within the rule, and evidence offered for a non-propensity purpose is admissible under it. United States v. Barnes, 49 F.3d 1144, 1149 (6th Cir.1995). Here, the evidence at issue is admissible under Rule 404(b). The Holdens' defense theory was that Marty Roddy fabricated test results without their knowledge. However, Marty Roddy did not have a substantial role in testing in 1995. Thus, the fact that the plant was suffering the same sort of reporting inaccuracies in 1995 and that those in charge of the plant were informed of this tends to rebut the Holdens' claims and corroborate Roddy's version of events. This is not evidence that encourages the jury to infer future misconduct based upon past misconduct, but circumstantial evidence that one account of the charged conduct is more credible than another. Thus, this evidence is not barred by Rule 404(b). And, contrary to Mike Holden's suggestion, this evidence was not unfairly prejudicial. Evidence that undermines one's defense by virtue of its legitimate probative force does not unfairly prejudice the defendant. United States v. Schrock, 855 F.2d 327, 335 (6th Cir.1988). Because this evidence was admissible under Rule 404(b), the district court did not commit plain error in admitting it. [2]