Opinion ID: 509071
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Evidence of Homosexuality

Text: 11 The appellant contends the trial court abused its discretion by admitting various witnesses' testimony indicating he and David Gillespie had a homosexual relationship. The appellant's contention has merit. 1 12 We review admission of evidence for abuse of discretion. United States v. Rubio, 727 F.2d 786, 798 (9th Cir.1983); United States v. Gwaltney, 790 F.2d 1378, 1382-83 (9th Cir.1986), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 107 S.Ct. 1337, 94 L.Ed.2d 187 (1987). District court errors are subject to the harmless error rule of Chapman v. California, 386 U.S. 18, 87 S.Ct. 824, 17 L.Ed.2d 705 (1967). 13 Anderson and other prosecution witnesses testified the appellant slept with his adoptive father. The government contends the evidence was admissible because the defense raised the issue of homosexuality in its opening statement. Alternatively, the government contends it did not present that testimony to prove the appellant, as a homosexual, was more likely to sexually abuse a child, but offered it under Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b) to show the appellant's motive, intent, plan, and design for bringing the child to the United States. The government argues that evidence of the sleeping arrangements in the Gillespie household shows the appellant invented the facade of a father-son relationship to cover up his incestuous lifestyle, and that he intended to extend that facade to the child in order to cover up his true, illicit purpose for bringing her to the country. 14 We reject the government's arguments and hold it was error to admit evidence from which the jury could infer the Gillespies had a homosexual relationship. The defense did not raise the issue of homosexuality. Rather, the defense moved in limine that the trial court exclude evidence of homosexuality. The trial court did not rule on the motion until the jury selection was completed. During opening argument, the government told the jury the appellant and David Gillespie slept in the same bed. The first evidence of homosexuality was presented during the government's case in chief when it asked Anderson about the sleeping arrangements in the household. In examining the defense's opening statement, we cannot conclude that the defense raised the issue of homosexuality. 15 Nor can admission of the evidence be justified under Rule 404(b). The evidence neither proved nor disproved that the appellant molested the child. It was offered to show that the men differed from what they held themselves out to be, but none of the testimony about their sexual relationship helped the trier of fact decide whether the appellant was guilty of the offense charged. 2 16 Evidence of homosexuality is extremely prejudicial. Cohn v. Papke, 655 F.2d 191, 194 (9th Cir.1981) (introduction of evidence of homosexuality creates a clear potential that the jury may have been unfairly influenced by whatever biases and stereotypes they might hold with regard to homosexuals); United States v. Birrell, 421 F.2d 665, 666 (9th Cir.1970) (conviction for theft reversed because trial court admitted evidence of homosexuality). Moreover, the testimony here was not elicited as the by-product of neutral cross-examination on legitimate issues. Rather, the government repeatedly asked, over defense objections, pointed questions about the Gillespies' sleeping arrangements. 17 The government's argument that admission of the evidence of homosexuality was harmless because the trial court gave a limiting instruction is unconvincing. This case is centered around the appellant's denial of Anderson's eyewitness testimony. The verdict probably depended on the jury's assessment of the credibility and character of the appellant and Anderson. Under these circumstances the trial court's curative instruction to the jury was not sufficient to obviate the prejudice. Therefore, the admission of evidence of homosexuality was not harmless error. 18