Court Opinion

ID: 9469936
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 02:52:25.276514+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:41:38.272002
License: Public Domain

JAMES C. HILL, Circuit Judge,
dissenting:
While I agree with the majority’s disposition of the other issues presented in this appeal, I cannot concur in the majority’s treatment of the trial court’s alleged error in excluding evidence regarding the Mulvehill-Itel transaction. Unquestionably, the trial court possesses broad discretion in determining the relevancy and materiality of evidence. United States v. Gorel, 622 F.2d 100 (5th Cir.1979); United States v. Grimm, 568 F.2d 1136 (5th Cir.1978). The trial court, however, abused its discretion in excluding Terebecki’s proffered evidence. Terebecki offered the evidence in an attempt to show that he did not possess the requisite intent to defraud Itel. He contends that the transaction between Mulvehill, Henson and Adams, who again was acting as Itel’s representative, is probative of Terebecki’s good faith belief that he was acting as a strawman in order to facilitate the deal between Dennis and Itel.
This proffered testimony certainly relates to the defense’s theory regarding Terebecki’s intent. The trial judge’s discretion “does not extend to the exclusion of crucial relevant evidence establishing a valid defense.” United States v. Wasman, 641 F.2d 326, 329 (5th Cir.1981); United States v. Riley, 550 F.2d 233, 236 (5th Cir.1977). “When proffered evidence is of substantial probative value, and will not tend to prejudice or confuse, all doubt should be resolved in favor of admissibility.” United States v. Wasman, 641 F.2d at 329 (quoting United States v. Holt, 342 F.2d 163, 166 (5th Cir. 1965)).
The majority errs, I believe, in viewing the testimony regarding the Mulvehill-Itel *1352transaction too narrowly. Terebecki does not argue that he possessed actual title to the oil processing plant nor does he base his argument on lack of intent to defraud Adams. Terebecki contends that he lacked the requisite intent to defraud Itel since Adams, Itel’s representative, told him that Itel needed a strawman in order to consúmate the deal with Dennis. Mulvehill’s and Henson’s testimony would support the defendant’s assertion that he had been told that Itel could consummate the deal with Dennis only through a strawman. Terebecki would have the jury believe that he merely wanted to facilitate the deal. Without the testimony of Mulvehill and Henson, Terebecki was forced to rely on the testimony of a man who had been convicted of defrauding Itel in the same transaction to prove the central contention of his defense. Terebecki’s defense may or may not be reasonable to a jury. See United States v. Wasman, 641 F.2d 326 (5th Cir.1981); United States v. Riley, 550 F.2d 233 (5th Cir.1977). Whether or not the factual issue would have been resolved in his favor, I believe the trial court should have at least allowed Terebecki to present Mulvehill’s and Dennis’ testimony as relevant evidence. Accordingly, I would reverse and remand for a new trial.