Court Opinion

ID: 9474748
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 05:07:46.607937+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:44:18.766494
License: Public Domain

WELLFORD, Circuit Judge,
concurring.
I agree entirely with Judge Peck’s analysis and conclusion in this case as to defendant Krebs. I write separately with regard to part III of the decision pertaining to prosecutorial misconduct and defendant Levine. The failure of the United States Attorney to furnish Levine’s counsel with all the handwritten F.B.I. notes from interviews with key witness Kassim is, in and of itself, at least a disturbing oversight. When one couples that with the failure without any adequate explanation to make a timely and appropriate Brady disclosure that an undercover agent worked at Levine’s pharmacy and observed no illegal activity on his part, this conduct becomes more disturbing. In addition, moreover, there was the questioning of witness Hayes in a fashion that brought forth testimony exceeding the bounds of a prior limiting order. The trial court struck this testimony and therefore cured to a considerable extent any resulting prejudice to Levine. Finally, as noted by Judge Peck, there was the questionable “vouching” for the credibility of witness Kassim in closing argument by the prosecutor.
These actions, in combination, cause one serious concern with respect to the contention of defendant Levine that he did not receive a fair trial. Although the question is a close one, I concur with the conclusion that the actions of the trial court were *1178sufficient, but barely sufficient, to overcome these shortcomings and the negligent conduct of the prosecution. Despite these problems I believe Levine had a reasonable opportunity to present his case to the court and jury, and that there was substantial evidence of guilt to warrant the verdict finding Levine guilty as charged.
I would therefore also affirm as to defendant Levine but with some considerable trepidation.