United States v. Herbert Richard Smith

Smith was convicted, in a jury trial, of having violated 21 U.S.C. § 174 , for receiving, concealing and selling heroin, and of 26 U.S.C. § 4705 (a), for unlawfully transferring heroin without a written order form. He appeals.

Smith contends that the admission into evidence of certain extra-judicial statements allegedly made by his co-defendant, which inculpated Smith in the crimes charged, violated Smith’s Sixth Amendment right of confrontation. The two were jointly tried, but the evidence of the co-defendant’s statements was admitted against him alone. Moreover, the co-defendant testified favorably to Smith concerning the crime and was available for full cross-examination. Under Nelson v. O’Neil, 402 U.S. 622 , 91 S.Ct. 1723 , 29 L.Ed.2d 222 (1971), Smith was therefore not denied his Sixth Amendment rights. See also California v. Green, 399 U.S. 149 , 90 S. Ct. 1930 , 26 L.Ed.2d 489 (1970).

Smith also argues that a jury instruction relative to the existence of a “common plan” constituted reversible error. Since he made no objection to the instruction in the District Court, reversal would be appropriate only if we could hold that the instruction was plainly and prejudicially…