U.S. v. Young

• Decision Date: 26 April 1978
• Docket Number: No. 77-1585,77-1585
• Citation: 573 F.2d 1137
• Parties: 3 Fed. R. Evid. Serv. 976 UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Ronald Dennis YOUNG, Defendant-Appellant.
• Court: U.S. Court of Appeals — Ninth Circuit

Page 1137

573 F.2d 1137

3 Fed. R. Evid. Serv. 976

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Ronald Dennis YOUNG, Defendant-Appellant.

No. 77-1585.

United States Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit.

April 26, 1978.

David P. Curnow (argued), San Diego, Cal., for defendant-appellant.

John J. Robinson, Asst. U. S. Atty. (argued and on the brief), Terry J. Knoepp, U. S. Atty. (argued), San Diego, Cal., for plaintiff-appellee.

On Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Southern California.

Before BROWNING and CHOY, Circuit Judges, and FERGUSON, ^* District Judge.

CHOY, Circuit Judge:

Ronald Young was convicted of conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846, and was sentenced to six years in prison followed by three years parole. He had been tried twice previously for the same offense; the guilty verdict of the first was vacated, and a mistrial declared in the second. We affirm his conviction in the third.

On appeal, Young raises four issues: (1) that there was insufficient evidence to support his conviction; (2) that testimony of his involvement in other drug offenses was improperly admitted; (3) that the trial court erred in denying a motion for continuance to permit proper cross-examination of a key witness; and (4) that his sentence should not have exceeded the three-year sentence given at the first trial.

I. Facts and Proceedings Below

On September 17, 1974, two DEA undercover agents and co-defendants Michael Jones and Joanne Ulak met James Hunter, another co-defendant, in an alley close to Hunter's residence for the purpose of buying one pound of cocaine. Hunter left the group twice to make phone calls; each time he indicated that he had to make contact with his supplier before the transaction could be completed.

Shortly after Hunter's phone calls, at approximately 1 A.M., surveillance agents observed a car drive into the apartment area and slowly pull to the curb with its lights out. Hunter entered the car, which was then driven to the opposite end of the alleyway where the agents' car was parked. Hunter got out of the car and was observed carrying a package underneath his clothing. Upon Hunter's delivery of the package to the agents and their verification that it contained cocaine, both he and the driver of the car, Ronald Young, were arrested.

At the second and third trials, but not the first, Hunter gave testimony that exculpated Young from any connection with the transaction. He confirmed Young's testimony, given at the first trial, that he had met with Young in order to repay a debt. At the third trial, the Government called Ann Marie Johnson to testify about drug transactions with Young in Rochester, New York, in 1974 and 1975. It is this testimony that appellant contends should have been excluded.

II. Sufficiency of Evidence

Viewing the evidence presented and all inferences arising therefrom in a light most favorable to the Government as the prevailing party, Glasser v. United States, 315 U.S. 60, 80, 62 S.Ct. 457, 86 L.Ed. 680 (1942); United States v. Costey, 554 F.2d 909, 910 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 431 U.S. 968, 97 S.Ct. 2928, 53 L.Ed.2d 1065 (1977); United States v. Ramirez-Rodriquez, 552 F.2d 883, 884 (9th Cir. 1977), we conclude that there was sufficient evidence for the jury to determine beyond a reasonable doubt that Young was guilty of conspiracy. Conspiracy may be proved by evidence entirely circumstantial and viewed collectively. United States v. Calaway, 524 F.2d 609, 612 (9th Cir. 1975), cert. denied, 424 U.S. 967, 96 S.Ct. 1462, 47 L.Ed.2d 733 (1976). Furthermore, it is the jury's exclusive function to weigh the credibility of witnesses, resolve evidentiary conflicts and draw reasonable inferences from proven facts. United States v. Ramirez-Rodriquez, 552 F.2d at 884; United States v. Nelson, 419 F.2d 1237, 1241 (9th Cir. 1969).

The jury could well infer from the evidence that Hunter, who was dealing directly with the undercover agents, made his phone calls to Young and that when Young drove to the location of the sale, he passed the cocaine to Hunter for delivery to the buyers. Hunter's testimony that Young was in an alleyway with his car lights out at 1 A.M. to collect a $50 debt was obviously not believed by the jury. Young's knowing participation in the conspiracy could be inferred from his actions in the car and from testimony of similar transactions.

III. Evidence of Other Narcotics Transactions

The trial court's admission of Ann Marie Johnson's testimony concerning Young's involvement in narcotics transactions with her in 1974 and 1975 was well within the discretion allowed it under Fed.R.Evid. 404(b). This rule is an inclusionary one: unless introduced only to prove criminal disposition, evidence of other crimes and acts is admissible when relevant to issues at trial. United States v. Rocha, 553 F.2d 615, 616 (9th Cir. 1977); United States v. Riggins, 539 F.2d 682, 683 (9th Cir. 1976), cert. denied, 429 U.S. 1045, 97 S.Ct. 749, 50 L.Ed.2d 758 (1977). Here the testimony was relevant to showing intent, motive, knowledge, lack of accident and opportunity.

In admitting relevant evidence under rule 404(b), the trial court must balance the probative value of the evidence against the possibility that the jury would be prejudiced against the defendant because of his participation in other criminal conduct. See Advisory Committee Note, Fed.R.Evid. 404(b). This determination is generally a matter of discretion for the trial court. United States v. Hearst, 563 F.2d 1331, 1336 (9th Cir. 1977); United States v. Rocha, 553 F.2d at 616. We find no abuse of that discretion here. Young's knowledge of the conspiracy and his intentional participation were at issue. Furthermore, prior to and after Johnson's testimony, the court gave the jury limiting instructions on prior and subsequent acts and on accomplice testimony. These instructions, together with the Government's statement in its closing argument stressing the limited purpose of Johnson's testimony, adequately minimized the prejudicial effect on Young.

IV. Denial of Motion for Continuance

We find no merit in appellant's argument that the trial judge's failure to grant a continuance prevented adequate cross-examination of Johnson. Appellant's trial counsel was given her name and the substance of her testimony well before trial, and, at appellant's request, Johnson remained at the courthouse for possible recall for further cross-examination. Under these circumstances, we can see no abuse of the trial court's discretion in denying the ...