United States v. Evans

629 F. Supp. 1544, 1986 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 28134
CourtDistrict Court, D. Connecticut
DecidedMarch 14, 1986
DocketCrim. N-85-36 (PCD)
StatusPublished
Cited by17 cases

This text of 629 F. Supp. 1544 (United States v. Evans) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Connecticut primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Evans, 629 F. Supp. 1544, 1986 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 28134 (D. Conn. 1986).

Opinion

RULING ON MOTION TO PERMIT OPENING STATEMENT

DORSEY, District Judge.

An opening statement is a matter for the discretion of the court, Local Rule 12(e), and is not a constitutional right. United States v. Salovitz, 701 F.2d 17, 20 (2d Cir.1983); Herring v. New York, 422 U.S. 853, 863, 95 S.Ct. 2550, 45 L.Ed.2d 593 (1975). The exercise of that discretion must be guided by the purpose of a trial: to permit a defendant a fair opportunity to present his ease. If a defendant intends to call no witnesses, there is nothing to explain in advance and an argument at the conclusion of the case suffices to permit a defendant to place his views of the case before the jury. When the defendant intends to testify, that moment, on the stand, under oath, and subject to cross-examination, is an adequate opportunity for the defendant to get across to the jury his version of the facts. When a defendant intends to call witnesses, they lend additional support to the defendant’s assertions.

Nevertheless, defendant argues that an opening statement serves three essential purposes: (a) to state what evidence will be presented; (b) to make it easier for the jurors to understand what is to follow; and *1547 (c) to relate parts of the evidence and testimony to the whole. Defendant’s Memorandum in Support of Motion to Permit Defendant to Make an Opening Statement at 1, citing United States v. Dinitz, 424 U.S. 600, 612, 96 S.Ct. 1075, 1082, 47 L.Ed.2d 267 (1976) (Burger, C.J., concurring). See also United States v. Escobedo, 430 F.2d 14, 20 (7th Cir.1970), cert. denied, 402 U.S. 451, 91 S.Ct. 1632, 29 L.Ed.2d 122 (1971).

(a) It is not quite accurate to say that an opening statement explains what evidence will be presented. Although a criminal defendant benefits from liberal discovery and knows much, if not all, of the government’s evidence in advance of trial, surely the defendant’s opening statement is not going to outline the evidence against her. There is no comparable advance notice of what the defendant will offer, if anything. Thus, there is no ready circumscribing of what a defendant will offer, or be permitted to present to the jury in a statement. Though a corrective instruction could remove a claim made in opening that was not substantiated by the evidence, it may not offset the unfair advantage in a preliminary casting of the case for the jury. Moreover, if a claim in opening is not the subject of evidence, that may place in question the good faith of the defendant who makes such a claim. See United States v. Dinitz, 424 U.S. at 612, 96 S.Ct. at 1082; United States v. Salovitz, 701 F.2d at 20 (discussing rationales for allowing or disallowing opening statement). If the court concludes the claim was knowingly and intentionally made, it will' have to grapple with the problem of determing what penalty, if any, is appropriate and feasible.

(b) It is questionable whether a mere recitation of the evidence which is to follow will help the jurors better understand the evidence when it is introduced. Yet, if the opening statement goes beyond a mere recitation, the explanation may shade into becoming an argument. Dinitz, 424 U.S. at 612, 96 S.Ct. at 1082.

(c) To relate parts of the evidence and testimony to the whole requires commentary. Counsel may comment on relative weight of evidence, resolution of conflicts, harmonization of evidence in the face of apparent conflict, etc. It is an analysis which approximates argument and that, as previously mentioned, is not the function of an opening statement.

On balance, preclusion of opening statements seems the better rule. Any advantage claimed to accrue to the government by the reading or paraphrasing of the indictment is countered by a recitation of defendant’s denial, buttressed by instructions as to the government’s burden of proof, defendant’s entitlement to a presumption of innocence and the want of any obligation on defendant’s part to offer evidence or prove her innocence. In most cases, the defendant’s alleged need to make an opening statement for the full exercise of his constitutional rights is overshadowed by the potential for abuse and by the numerous trial problems and appeals which may result therefrom.

Courts that have not generally allowed opening statements have regarded them as “a privilege to be granted or withheld depending on the circumstances of the individual case.” Salovitz, 701 F.2d at 20. Thus, when the evidence is complex and there is a significant risk of confusion or misunderstanding, an opening statement may be warranted in fairness to a defendant. McLauth v. California, 402 U.S. 183, 221, 91 S.Ct. 1454, 1474, 28 L.Ed.2d 711 (1971).

Defendant asserts this to be the kind of complicated ease which warrants an opening statement. She notes the potential of 150 exhibits, scores of witnesses, covering a wide span of time. However, extensive testimony and numerous exhibits do not necessarily mean that the jury will be confused unless an opening statement is made. As against the government’s claims and proof, the defendant purportedly will attempt to explain away the evidence by showing that her intent, and the motive and purpose for her conduct, was neither fraudulent nor criminal. The defense theory, and the means of attempting to convince the jury of its efficacy, is not novel or unduly complex. In view of her motion, the court will advise the jury that, as op *1548 posed to the intent with which she is charged, defendant claims there was an innocent intent and motive which accounts for her behavior. The court will also consider other proposals from the defense as to how the case should be introduced to the jury. Such a procedure will adequately assure defendant of fair consideration by the jury.

Accordingly, defendant’s motion for permission to make an opening statement is denied.

SO ORDERED.

RULING ON MOTION TO SUPPRESS

I. New York

Defendant’s motion in part applies to items seized in Apartment 12L at 3451 Giles Place, Bronx, New York. That apartment has not been shown to have had any substantial link to defendant. She was in the apartment but once insofar as the record shows, she had a key to the building, her fingerprints were found there. The latter may have been created at the time of the single visit, immediately prior to her arrest and the search of the apartment. Certainly defendant is not likely to claim that they were made at any other time lest she thereby concede probative value to that evidence on an ultimate issue.

To establish standing, it must be shown that defendant had “a legitimate expectation of privacy” in the locus searched. Rakas v. Illinois, 439 U.S. 128, 143, 99 S.Ct. 421, 430, 58 L.Ed.2d 387 (1978).

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Bluebook (online)
629 F. Supp. 1544, 1986 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 28134, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-evans-ctd-1986.