Opinion ID: 43615
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Religious beliefs

Text: Readon asserts the district court erred by not permitting him to testify about the nature of his religious beliefs, which he contends were probative of his motives for being in contact with co-conspirators Leonard Morris and Alvin Stuart. We review a district court’s evidentiary rulings for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Massey, 89 F.3d 1433, 1441 (11th Cir. 1996). “A person’s beliefs, superstitions, or affiliation with a religious group is properly admissible 2 where probative of an issue in a criminal prosecution.” United States v. Beasley, 72 F.3d 1518, 1527 (11th Cir. 1996). Although Readon contends testimony about the nature of his religion would show the jury he understood Yahweh concepts, he did not suggest such testimony would allow the jury to determine he had no illicit contacts with Morris and Stuart, or would otherwise be relevant to the charged offenses. Moreover, Readon did present his religion defense by testifying that his purpose for maintaining contact with Morris and Stuart was to give spiritual advice. Based on these facts, the district court did not abuse its discretion by not permitting Readon to testify about the nature of his religious beliefs.