Court Opinion

ID: 9467864
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 01:58:13.028025+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:40:33.789491
License: Public Domain

HOLLOWAY, Circuit Judge,
dissenting:
I respectfully dissent. To me the controlling issue is the admission in evidence of the discussion of the possible sale by defendant Tim Tisdale of 500 pounds of marijuana and the use of marijuana by him. This evidence is said to be admissible under Rule 404(b), F.R.E., to show intent and knowledge that the tea set was stolen property and was presented at trial through tapes and a transcript, Exs. 11,12, and 13. To me, that part of the tape and transcript was unnecessary for purposes of the prosecution, was of a wholly different sort of conduct, and highly prejudicial. It could easily have been omitted, and refusal to do so calls for a new trial in my judgment.
In the recording which was played to the jury (Ex. 12) Tim Tisdale specifically discussed 500 pounds of the marijuana he was trying to “move”; where it came from; a particular time frame during which the marijuana would or could be available; particular buyers; the competition; a price term and delivery; and he said that he, Tim, had been using marijuana himself. (II R. 167-69). There were specific, timely objections to this evidence on the ground of prejudice. (II R. 65-66, 139-45; see also 82, 102-06).
I would hold that admission of this evidence was prejudicial error. The Government’s generalized argument that the whole conversation was “logically linked” to the crimes charged is unpersuasive. (Brief of Appellee, 21). There was one long conversation involved, but that does not establish that the discussion of illicit dealing in marijuana met the test of Rule 404(b) to show motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan or knowledge and the like with respect to the tea set transaction. The marijuana matter was not similar to dealing in the stolen tea set as were the other references to stolen jewelry and burglarizing jewelry stores. Thus it was not evidence of unlawful activity of a closely related type as in United States v. Nolan, 551 F.2d 266, 271-72 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 904, 98 S.Ct. 302, 54 L.Ed.2d 191 (evidence of prior importation of hashish into England by similar concealment methods held admissible in prosecution for importation of marijuana into the United States). It injected sensitive evidence of a very different type of offense. Its effect was thus merely the showing of a general criminal character or trait to prove action in conformity therewith, which Rule 404(b), F.R.E., specifically prohibits. United States v. Mann, 590 F.2d 361, 368-371 (1st Cir.); see United States v. Nolan, supra, 551 F.2d at 271; United States v. Burkhart, 458 F.2d 201, 204 (10th Cir.). And although the evidence may all come from one connected report, the prejudicial portion should have been excised. E. g., Kilarjian v. Horvath, 379 F.2d 547, 548 (2d Cir.); see United States v. Lucero, 601 F.2d 1147, 1149 (10th Cir.).
The rule of special importance here is Rule 403, F.R.E. which provides:
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. (Emphasis added).
*95The Rule applies with special force here. The evidence objected to showed the contemplation of a large marijuana transaction which would be a felony, and there were repeated references to it, as well as an obscenity referring to the use of marijuana by Tim Tisdale. (II R. 167-69). This evoked the general odium felt toward such transactions, with a potential for prejudicing the jury. See United States v. Johnson, 495 F.2d 242, 245 (10th Cir.); Harless v. Boyle-Midway Div. American Home Products, 594 F.2d 1051, 1058 (5th Cir.). The repeated references to marijuana were “... precisely the type of highly prejudicial evidence that should be excluded under Federal Rule of Evidence 403.” Harless v. Boyle-Midway Div. American Home Products, supra, 594 F.2d at 1058; United States v. Cook, 538 F.2d 1000, 1003 (3rd Cir.); and see United States v. Partyka, 544 F.2d 345, 347 (8th Cir.) (referring to the prejudicial effect of evidence of possession of 500 pounds of marijuana). Significantly, the jurors showed special concern about the contents of the transcript of the tape recording which contained the references to marijuana transactions, inter alia.1
There was a statement in the instructions that the tape of the communication “has been admitted into evidence for the sole purpose, as it might be probative in your minds, of establishing motive, intent or knowledge on the part of the defendants as to the acts alleged in the indictment. It is not to be considered for any other purpose.” (II R. 254r-55). Nevertheless the damaging discussion remained in evidence as heard by the jury. Despite the instruction, the danger of prejudice was too great and the admission of the prejudicial discussion of marijuana should be held erroneous. See United States v. Cook, supra, 538 F.2d at 1002, 1004-05; United States v. Puco, 453 F.2d 539, 542 (2d Cir.).2 The Government’s case rested considerably on inferences and circumstantial evidence, particularly as to the crucial element in both counts of knowledge that the tea set was stolen property. Because of the potential for prejudice from the repeated references to the marijuana dealings, such evidence of uncharged wrongs should have been excised. See United States v. Lucero, 601 F.2d 1147, 1149 (10th Cir.).
Moreover, I cannot agree with the majority that the enactment of the Federal Rules of Evidence, particularly Rule 404(b), made a significant change in the law. In United States v. Thomas, 632 F.2d 837, 845 (10th Cir. 1980), cert. denied sub nom. Harris v. United States,-U.S.-, 101 S.Ct. 373, 66 L.Ed.2d 227, we said in discussing Rule 404(b) that “[t]he similar offense rule and its ramifications have not been changed remarkably as a consequence of the adoption of the Rules of Evidence.” This view is supported by the legislative history. See, e. g., 2 Weinstein’s Evidence, 404-4 and 404-5 (1980); 22 C. Wright and K. Graham, Federal Practice and Procedure, § 5239 at 439 (1978).
Lastly, I cannot agree that there was any waiver of the objection to the prejudicial material on the tapes. Some time before the introduction of the material there was an objection and discussion of the problem during the trial by counsel for the Government and for defendants before the judge. (II R. 65-66). In fact, the trial judge acknowledged that “I have a problem with the marihuana. As far as the rest of it is concerned, I don’t have a problem. The *96marijuana is not a related type of item.” (II R. 66). At that point, Government counsel indicated he could “work around” the problem. Later the objection was overruled and that portion of the tape was played.
It is true that Government counsel complained that the material had been furnished, that nothing had been done earlier by defense counsel about the objectionable parts, and that the trial judge also said it could have been taken care of at other times. (Id. at 142-44). Nevertheless, the objection had been plainly made and excising the objectionable part of the tape and transcript, which troubled the court, was not a difficult problem. (II R. 167-69). There was no evidentiary matter requiring a motion to suppress illegally obtained evidence before trial under Rule 12(b)(3) and Rule 41(f), F.R.Crim.P. This was simply an objection that the material was prejudicial, irrelevant and immaterial under the evidence rules and counsel made a clear, timely objection.
For these reasons I would grant a new trial.

. The jurors sent a note to the trial judge requesting a copy of the indictment, the instructions and the transcript of the tape recording. The judge replied by a note that he was sending in the indictment and instructions but that they should rely on their memories for the contents of the tape or the transcript. (I R. 82).

. For cases reversing because of the ineffectiveness of a curative instruction see United States v. Warledo, 557 F.2d 721, 724-26 and n.l (10th Cir.); Government of Virgin Isiands v. Toto, 529 F.2d 278, 282-84 (3d Cir.) (unless the appellate court believes it “highly probable” that the error did not affect the judgment, it should reverse); De Jong v. United States, 381 F.2d 725 (9th Cir.); United States v. Nemeth, 430 F.2d 704, 705 (6th Cir.). In this connection the jurors’ particular concern with the tape recording, already mentioned, becomes extremely important. Because of this concern it is difficult to say with assurance that the prejudicial matters did not harm these defendants.