Opinion ID: 168367
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Co-defendant testimony

Text: 22 We generally review the denial of a motion for a mistrial or a new trial for abuse of discretion. United States v. Cerrato-Reyes, 176 F.3d 1253, 1258 (10th Cir.1999), abrogated on other grounds by United States v. Duncan, 242 F.3d 940 (10th Cir. 2001). However, when the court's decision rests on an issue of law, as here, we review de novo. United States v. Ailsworth, 138 F.3d 843, 846 (10th Cir.1998). 23 In any trial with multiple defendants, it is imperative that a co-defendant's guilty plea not be used as substantive evidence of a defendant's guilt. United States v. Baez, 703 F.2d 453, 455 (10th Cir.1983). Nevertheless, we have held that the judge may inform the jury when a co-defendant changes his plea to guilty in the middle of trial, although it is generally preferable not to. Id. Nor is it grounds for a mistrial for the court to allow a former co-defendant subsequently to testify for the government. United States v. Massey, 48 F.3d 1560, 1569-70 (10th Cir.1995). In such cases, it is permissible for the court to explain that the co-defendant has entered into a plea agreement, but cautionary instructions limiting the jury's use of the guilty plea to permissible purposes are critical. Baez, 703 F.2d at 455. The judge instructed the jury twice not to draw adverse conclusions from Mr. Wilson's guilty plea, and we find no error in the denial of the motion for a mistrial.