United States v. Davis

235 F.R.D. 292, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 27870, 2006 WL 1158026
CourtDistrict Court, W.D. Pennsylvania
DecidedApril 28, 2006
DocketNo. CRIM.A. 04-36J
StatusPublished

This text of 235 F.R.D. 292 (United States v. Davis) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. Pennsylvania primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Davis, 235 F.R.D. 292, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 27870, 2006 WL 1158026 (W.D. Pa. 2006).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION and ORDER OF COURT

GIBSON, District Judge.

This case comes before the Court on several pre-trial motions filed by three of the Defendants in this matter. The Court will review each of these in turn, concluding with the various motions to suppress evidence.

MOTION OF WAYNE A. VANCE

Motion to Produce Evidence Which the Government Intends to Use Under Federal Rules of Evidence 404(b) and 609 with Citation of Authority (Document No. 72)

Wayne A. Vance (hereinafter “Vance”) has moved for the production of any Government evidence for which it would seek admission under Federal Rules of Evidence 404(b) and 609. The Government has responded, but not listed any convictions to be admitted under Rule 609. In regard to other bad acts sought to be admitted under Rule 404(b), the Government has revealed an intention to seek admission of the fact that Vance “visited Mr. [Kevin P.] Flood [hereinafter “Flood”] on previous occasions for the purpose of obtaining multi-pound quantities of marijuana from [ ] Flood. This evidence establishes [ ] Vance’s intent, plan and knowledge and rebuts any suggestion of mistake or innocent association.” Government’s Omnibus Response, p. 39. The Government and the Defendant request that the Court rule on the admissibility of such evidence outside the hearing of the jury, but at differing times: at the time of trial, as requested by the Government or at a pre-trial hearing, at the request of the Defendant. Consistent with the Court’s practice, the Court will defer ruling on this matter until the time of trial when the Government seeks to admit such evidence. Since the Government has provided notice of its evidence sought to be introduced under Federal Rules of Evidence 404(b) and 609, [295]*295Vance’s motion requesting such production is granted.

MOTIONS OF RAYMOND A. RABREAU

Motion in Limine with Citation of Authority (Document No. 59)

Raymond A. Rabreau (hereinafter “Ra-breau”) moves for the exclusion from trial of his prior sentences dated 1971, 1978, 1982, and 1989. In response, the Government has indicated an intention to seek admission of a 1988 conviction for marijuana smuggling and a 2002 conviction for “importation of marijuana/continuing criminal enterprise.” It appears that the 1988 conviction mentioned by the Government and the 1989 “sentence” mentioned by Rabreau might be the same offense, but the Court is without further information as to these two representations. The Court will assume that the 1988 conviction and 1989 sentence refer to the same offense and will refer to it as the 1988 conviction while analyzing its admission along with the 2002 conviction in the following section. As for the sentences from 1971, 1978 and 1982, the Government does not indicate that it seeks their admission under Federal Rule of Evidence 609(a)(1) and therefore, the Court will grant Rabreau’s motion in limine as to these three sentences and will also grant Rabreau’s motion in limine as to the 1988 conviction as analyzed in the following section.

Motion to Produce Evidence which the Government Intends to Use Under Federal Rules of Evidence 404(b) and 609 with Citation of Authority (Document No. 60)

Rabreau has moved for the production of any Government evidence for which it would seek admission under Federal Rules of Evidence 404(b) and 609. The Government responded by indicating that it would seek to impeach the Defendant with two criminal convictions if he testified at trial: “a 1988 conviction for marijuana smuggling, and a 2002 conviction for importation of marijuana/continuing criminal enterprise.” Government’s Omnibus Response, p. 2. The Government also seeks to introduce evidence that Rabreau was on probation in the United States District Court, District of Oregon at the time of the alleged offense and did not request permission from his probation officer to travel to Blair County, Pennsylvania. The Government seeks to prove that Rabreau was aware of this condition of his probation as he had previously requested permission to travel outside that district and that his failure to request such permission is “indicative of the criminal nature of the trip” thus demonstrating an intent to violate the law. Government’s Omnibus Response, pp. 5-6. The Government has also provided notice of its intent to introduce Rabreau’s 1988 and 2002 convictions for marijuana smuggling and importation of marijuana pursuant to Rule 404(b). Government’s Omnibus Response, p. 7. The Government argues that these convictions would be used to demonstrate criminal intent, knowledge of marijuana smuggling and distribution, or discredit claims of “mistake, lack of knowledge, or innocent association.” Government’s Omnibus Response, p. 9. The Government and the Defendant request that the Court rule on the admissibility of such evidence outside the hearing of the jury, but at differing times: at the time of trial, as requested by the Government or at a pre-trial hearing, at the request of the Defendant. Consistent with the Court’s practice, the Court will defer ruling on this Rule 404(b) matter until the time of trial when the Government seeks to admit such evidence.

As to the notice of convictions to be used against Rabreau under Rule 609, the Government also seeks to admit the 1988 and 2002 convictions in order to impeach the Defendant should he choose to testify. The record before the Court does not demonstrate whether the 1988 conviction of Rabreau resulted in his incarceration and subsequent release within the past ten years so as to comply with the ten year time limit found in Rule 609(b). Clearly, the sole fact that Ra-breau was convicted in 1988, will not suffice to comply with Rule 609(b). Therefore, the Court finds that the Government will not be permitted to utilize evidence of the 1988 conviction at trial unless the Government produces evidence that that conviction meets to requirements of Federal Rule of Evidence 609(b).

With regard to the 2002 conviction, the Court partakes in a balancing test under [296]*296Federal Rule of Evidence 609(a)(1). Rule 609(a)(1) permits the impeachment of a criminal defendant through admitting evidence of his prior convictions if “the probative value of admitting this evidence outweighs its prejudicial effect to the accused.” In the case of Government of Virgin Islands v. Bedford, 671 F.2d 758, 761 (3d Cir.1982), it was recognized that the Government bears the burden to demonstrate that the probative value outweighs the prejudicial effect. In determining if this has been accomplished, the courts have looked to the four non-exclusive factors of “(1) the kind of crime involved; (2) when the conviction occurred; (3) the importance of the witness’ testimony to the ease; (4) the importance of the credibility of the defendant.” Id. at n. 4.

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Bluebook (online)
235 F.R.D. 292, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 27870, 2006 WL 1158026, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-davis-pawd-2006.