Court Opinion

ID: 9469370
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 02:38:36.367996+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:41:21.183805
License: Public Domain

WIDENER, Circuit Judge,
dissenting:
I respectfully dissent.
This case is another example of what I believe to be a disturbing trend in this circuit to admit evidence of a criminal defendant’s similar bad acts, notwithstanding the general prohibition against admission of such evidence. See my dissent in United *220States v. Woods, 484 F.2d 127, 140 (4th Cir. 1973), cert. denied, 415 U.S. 979, 94 S.Ct. 1566, 39 L.Ed.2d 875 (1974). The existence of this trend is best illustrated by this court’s opinion in United States v. DiZenzo, 500 F.2d 263, 265 (4th Cir. 1974), where it was said:
Indeed, evidence of similar acts is relevant to so wide and unclassifiable a range of issues that the exclusionary rule has become one of qualified admissibility, aptly phrased: “Evidence of other offenses may be received if relevant for any purpose other than to show a mere propensity or disposition on the part of the defendant to commit the crime.” United States v. Stirone, 262 F.2d 571, 576 (3d Cir. 1959), reversed on other grounds, 361 U.S. 212, 80 S.Ct. 270, 4 L.Ed.2d 252 (1960).
DiZenzo should be compared for contrast with Lovely v. United States, 169 F.2d 386 (4th Cir. 1948). In the instant case, evidence of the defendant’s involvement in other similar operations was allowed on the theory that it was necessary to show his intent. I believe the evidence showed nothing more than propensity to commit this type of crime.
The trend to admit similar acts evidence runs directly counter to the philosophy expressed by the Supreme Court, which has said:
Courts which follow the common-law tradition almost unanimously have come to disallow resort by the prosecution to any kind of evidence of a defendant’s evil character to establish a probability of his guilt.... The State may not show defendant’s prior trouble with the law, specific criminal acts, or ill fame among his neighbors, even though such facts might logically be persuasive that he is by propensity a probable perpetrator of the crime. The inquiry is not rejected because character is irrelevant; on the contrary, it is said to weigh too much with the jury and to so overpersuade them as to prejudge one with a bad general record and deny him a fair opportunity to defend against a particular charge. The overriding policy of excluding such evidence, despite its admitted probative value, is the practical experience its disal-lowance tends to prevent confusion of issues, unfair surprise and undue prejudice.
Michelson v. United States, 335 U.S. 469, 475-76, 69 S.Ct. 213, 218, 93 L.Ed. 168 (1948).
As the majority notes, admission of similar acts evidence under Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b) involves considerations of probative value as well as the possible prejudicial effect of the evidence. (At 217). It is important to emphasize, however, that probativeness goes beyond the usual questions of relevance and reliability and includes the question as to whether the situation is one meeting the language of Rule 404(b). See 2 Weinstein’s Evidence H 404[08] (1981). Here, the court below and the majority both found that the proffered evidence met the motive and intent exceptions of Rule 404(b). I disagree.
At trial, the prosecution witnesses variously testified that the defendant was told that stolen televisions were available, that the defendant supplied the keys for a truck used to transport the televisions, that the defendant gave money to those who stole the televisions, and that the defendant directed where the stolen merchandise was to be taken. Nevertheless, the prosecution asserted that this testimony was insufficient to establish that the defendant was a knowing participant in criminal activities, and that it was therefore necessary to introduce testimony concerning the defendant’s participation in other fencing operations in order to establish his intent in this one. Such an assertion is little more than pretextual and I think is nothing less than a prejudicial example of overkill.
The prosecution even had no need to introduce the testimony in question. Not only was there ample evidence of criminal intent from the testimony concerning the defendant’s actions in this incident, but the defense had not seriously challenged the intent issue at the time the evidence was introduced. Significantly, the evidence was *221introduced as part of the prosecution’s casein-chief, and not on rebuttal. While the defendant’s opening statement did discuss the idea that the defendant’s activities were not criminal, the majority admits that such a statement does not alone open the door to admitting similar acts evidence. The majority has reasoned, nevertheless, that the defendant’s activities in this case, considered individually and out of context, could have legitimate explanations and thus it was necessary to allow the introduction of the similar acts testimony to prove intent. (At 218-219). I think that this is post hoc rationalization and creates such a broad exception to the general rule against similar acts evidence that it threatens to swallow the rule.
Even if otherwise admissible, the evidence was so prejudicial as to make it inadmissible under Rule 403. The proffered testimony concerned the defendant’s involvement in three substantially similar incidents. The majority has argued that the risk of prejudice was reduced by the trial judge's repeated instructions to the jury concerning the proper use of such evidence. While such instructions are necessary when admitting this type of testimony, the great emphasis on the testimony could just as well have the effect of reinforcing its content in the minds of the jurors.
For the foregoing reasons, I believe that the district court erred in admitting the testimony concerning the defendant’s ostensible involvement in other similar operations for which he has not even been charged, much less convicted.
I would grant a new trial.