Opinion ID: 433135
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Extrinsic Acts Evidence

Text: 48 On redirect, Mason testified to a real estate transaction in which Lister, Johnson and Hill allegedly used false financial statements to obtain and sell a fictitious second mortgage on some property. The judge initially had ruled that such testimony was inadmissible. On redirect, however, the judge allowed Mason to testify about the transaction because defense counsel during cross-examination had asked Mason about Lister's involvement in L & H Properties, a partnership between Lister and Hill and one of the companies involved in the fictitious mortgage scheme. The judge ruled, therefore, that defense counsel had opened the door and Mason would be allowed to testify as to Lister's involvement in L & H. After Mason's testimony, defense counsel moved for an instruction on use of similar acts evidence under Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b), which motion the government joined. The judge proceeded to give the instruction. 49 Lister now argues that Mason's testimony about the mortgage scheme was prejudicial error because it does not satisfy the requirements of Rule 404(b). The government contends that the evidence was properly admitted because it was used as a response to defense counsel's implication on cross-examination that Lister was not involved with L & H Properties. Because we find that the testimony was properly admitted as rebuttal evidence and did not violate F.R.Evid. 403, we need not address the defendant's argument based on F.R.Evid. 404(b). Rule 403 provides: 50 Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence. 51 We must determine, therefore, whether the testimony was relevant and, if so, whether its probative value outweighed its prejudicial effect. 52 On cross-examination, Lister's counsel had the following exchange with Mason:Q. Isn't it true that you know of or had knowledge that Roy Lister and Buddy [Hill] never really put that corporation in effect as being together, in other words, Lister and Hill [L & H]? 53
54