Opinion ID: 502711
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Extrinsic Offense Evidence

Text: 21 In United States v. Beechum, we outlined a two-step analysis to guide trial courts in determining the admissibility of evidence under Rule 404(b): First, it must be determined that the extrinsic offense is relevant to an issue other than the defendant's character. Second, the evidence must possess probative value that is not substantially outweighed by its undue prejudice and must meet the other requirements of Rule 403. 582 F.2d 898, 911 (5th Cir.1978) (en banc). We further held, in United States v. Robinson, 700 F.2d 205, 213 (5th Cir.1983), that the district court must articulate its balancing judgment on the record when requested by a party. In this case, the government proffered the testimony of a state investigative auditor concerning discrepancies in Westmoreland's financial records from her prior term as justice court judge, and the district court thoroughly complied with the guidelines of Beechum and Robinson. The district judge's determination reflects a well-reasoned assessment of the factors of probativeness and prejudice underlying his decision, and we perceive no abuse of his discretion in admitting the evidence. 22 Although Westmoreland obviously disagrees with the district court's judgment, her primary complaint is that, because the investigation was incomplete, she was unable to explain the discrepancies or to answer any charges. Westmoreland urges us to follow the Tenth Circuit's decision in United States v. Biswell, 700 F.2d 1310, 1318 (10th Cir.1983), where the court held that, under the circumstances, evidence of ongoing investigations should have been excluded. Without expressing an opinion about Biswell, we reject Westmoreland's assertion that evidence of the uncompleted investigation here lacked probative value and overwhelmingly prejudiced her because she could not adequately respond. The evidence did not portray her as taking part in general criminal activities for an undefined period. Biswell, 700 F.2d at 1316. Rather, the auditor's testimony was detailed and specific, and Westmoreland knew of the charges against her. A state auditor requested Westmoreland's financial records for the years in question when the investigation began; the government informed Westmoreland before trial that it might use the evidence; and she received copies of the auditor's worksheets at the start of the trial. 23 Moreover, Westmoreland's argument concerning probativeness actually challenges the reliability of the auditor's figures. Clearly, if the calculations were so erroneous that no discrepancy in fact existed, then the government failed to sufficiently prove that Westmoreland committed the alleged extrinsic offense--abuse of an elected office by misappropriating public funds--and the evidence would be irrelevant to show intent and predisposition, the purposes for which it was admitted. See Beechum, 582 F.2d at 912-13. However, [t]he standard for the admissibility of extrinsic offense evidence is that of rule 104(b): 'the preliminary fact can be decided by the judge against the proponent only where the jury could not reasonably find the preliminary fact to exist.'  Id. at 913 (quoting 21 Wright & Graham, Federal Practice and Procedure: Evidence Sec. 5054, at 269 (1977)). In this case, the auditor admitted on cross-examination that Westmoreland might be able to resolve some of the discrepancy, but the auditor also testified that further investigation would probably increase the $9,506.95 figure derived from the completed portions of the audit. Thus the existence of a discrepancy cannot seriously be questioned, and as stated earlier, we conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion by admitting the auditor's testimony.