07-2195 U.S. v. Harris

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Evidence
Relevance

In a prosecution for drug trafficking, evidence that the defendant drove numerous luxury vehicles was properly admitted.

“The district court articulated the proper legal standard in its ruling on Harris’s motion in limine, stating that the vehicle evidence would ‘be relevant to show an unaccounted for source of income if the Government is able to introduce other evidence that the defendant lacked a source of income.’ And the government laid its foundation through Harris’s girlfriend, who testified that Harris was not employed from 2003 through 2006.

The evidence of luxury vehicles had some probative value, especially considering that these vehicles were not registered to Harris but to his relatives and acquaintances— including his six-year-old son. We do not believe the vehicle evidence was unfairly prejudicial, and the district court did not abuse its discretion by allowing the government to present the evidence. See Wantuch, 525 F.3d at 518.”

Affirmed.

07-2195 U.S. v. Harris

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Scott, J., Kanne, J.

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