Court Opinion

ID: 9462097
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 22:31:53.794315+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:37:23.897981
License: Public Domain

HEANEY, Circuit Judge
(concurring).
While I agree with the majority that O’Rourke was not technically an informant, there was ample reason to suspect his veracity. His testimony was received only after he was threatened with prosecution and promised dismissal of the charges for his cooperation. Contrary to United States v. Smith, 464 F.2d 221 (8th Cir. 1972), relied upon by the majority, there was here a direct link between the testimony received and the promised governmental action. The better practice would have been to give the requested instruction. See Joseph v. United States, 286 F.2d 468, 469 (5th Cir. 1960), cert. denied, 372 U.S. 979, 83 S.Ct. 1114, 10 L.Ed.2d 144 (1963); United States v. Masino, 275 F.2d 129, 132-133 (2nd Cir. 1960); United States v. Becker, 62 F.2d 1007, 1009 (2nd Cir. 1933). Had the error been properly preserved pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 30, a new trial would be required.
The error does not in this case amount to a miscarriage of justice reversible un*394der the plain error rule. The credibility of O’Rourke was extensively challenged in cross-examination, and the closing argument of the defense focused the issue for the jury. The general credibility instruction given the jury was in this instance adequate to protect the defendant. See United States v. Nolte, 440 F.2d 1124, 1126 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 404 U.S. 862, 92 S.Ct. 49, 30 L.Ed.2d 106 (1971); United States v. Hoffa, 349 F.2d .20, 52 (6th Cir. 1965), affirmed, 385 U.S. 293, 87 S.Ct. 408, 17 L.Ed.2d 374 (1966); Siglar v. United States, 208 F.2d 865, 867 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 347 U.S. 991, 74 S.Ct. 854, 98 L.Ed. 1125 (1954).