Opinion ID: 796140
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Walker's statement

Text: 68 On direct examination, the government was allegedly attempting to elicit testimony about a quarter-kilogram of crack cocaine that Defendant Cloud's girlfriend flushed down the toilet on July 4, 2003. The following exchange occurred between the prosecution and Walker: 69 Q. Did any of your transactions occur [at Cloud's girlfriend's house]? 70 A. Yes. 71 Q. And can you tell us about that, Mr. Walker? 72 A. I would call him and tell him I'm on my way over there, and I would go up there. 73 Q. Did you have a conversation with Fred Cloud about a Fourth of July incident in 2003? 74 A. Yes. 75 Q. Can you tell use about that? 76 A. Oh, about when, when his—he tried to spray gasoline over his baby's mother's house. 77 J.A. at 1656-57. Defense counsel objected, and the court stated, there was no reason for that, was there? The jury will disregard that last answer. J.A. at 1657. Defendant Cloud later moved for a mistrial, which the district court denied. 78 Applying the factors from Forrest, we conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying a mistrial. The government was in the process of questioning Walker on a legitimate line of inquiry, and there is nothing in the record to suggest that they solicited the remark. The line of questioning was also reasonable, as it was aimed at eliciting admissible testimony, specifically, the amount of drugs involved. The district court immediately instructed the jury to disregard the testimony, and Defendant Cloud's counsel asked that no other instruction be given to the jury on the matter. There was also no indication of bad faith on the part of the government; in fact, Defendant Cloud's counsel stated that he certainly [didn't] believe the government would deliberately [elicit such testimony]. J.A. at 1666. Finally, as discussed above, the evidence against Defendant Cloud was substantial. In sum, all factors cut in favor of the government, and the court did not abuse its discretion in not granting a mistrial.