Opinion ID: 411878
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Introduction of the Government's Chart

Text: 55 Both defendants argue that the introduction of the chart showing the break-down of the $39,126.80 check between them was in error and is reversible. 6 Specifically, they object to the government's assertion that the $8,000 difference in Lloyd's favor can be interpreted as payment by Means of one-half of the interest on the FMBC note. They argue that there was no evidence of this introduced at trial and that it was therefore improperly admitted. 56 The trial court has discretion to determine whether illustrative charts may be used pursuant to Fed.R.Evid. 1006. United States v. Smyth, 556 F.2d 1179, 1184 (5th Cir.1977); Baines v. U.S., 426 F.2d 833, 840 (5th Cir.1970); Lloyd v. United States, 226 F.2d 9, 16 (5th Cir.1955). Unless that discretion is abused, we will not reverse the court's decision. 57 Unarguably, the government did make assumptions, reflected on the chart, as to the defendants' motives in their division of proceeds. Such assumptions are permissible so long as supporting evidence has been presented previously to the jury, United States v. Diez, 515 F.2d 892, 905 (5th Cir.1975), and where the court has made it clear that the ultimate decision should be made by the jury as to what weight should be given to the evidence. United States v. Andrew, 606 F.2d 549, 550 (5th Cir.1979). 58 Here defendants' attorneys conducted a thorough cross-examination of the witness responsible for preparing the chart and had an opportunity to demonstrate to the jury that the assumptions made from the chart were no more than mere assumptions. While we recognize the powerful impression which charts can make upon a jury, vesting the charts with an air of credibility independent of the evidence purported to be summarized, Steele v. United States, 222 F.2d 628, 630 (5th Cir.1955), the previously introduced evidence underlying the chart here was sufficient to support the government witness's testimony and the chart. The witness's conclusion constituted a fair assumption based on all the evidence, was subject to full cross-examination by defendants' attorneys, and the jury was instructed amply to give it only its due weight. 7