Opinion ID: 374087
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Tapes

Text: 19 During the course of their investigation, Evans and Labredo had dozens of conversations with Garrett. Forty-four of the conversations were taped. At trial, several of the tapes, along with written transcripts, were offered into evidence. The tapes contained evidence that Garrett had paid protection money to the agents on behalf of himself and others. Wolford's objections to the admission of the tapes and transcripts were overruled, but the jury was cautioned that the evidence was to be considered only as to Garrett. 20 The tapes and transcripts were not admitted as evidence that Wolford committed the crime charged. In fact, Wolford's brief points to only one short passage in which his name was even mentioned. Although the brief is sprinkled with references to hearsay and irrelevancy, the thrust of the argument is that Wolford was prejudiced because the jury was allowed to hear so much evidence concerning his codefendant. This is the identical contention made in urging that we overturn the trial court's refusal to grant severance. As we did in Part I of this opinion, we hold that the cautionary instructions given by the court sufficiently protected Wolford's rights. We do not find an abuse of discretion in allowing the tapes and transcripts to be admitted.