Lytle

MEMORANDUM *

A jury convicted Scott Lee Lytle on five counts related to a methamphetamine con *597 spiracy in southwestern Montana. Lytle appeals on two grounds. First, he challenges the district court’s denial of his motion for a mistrial following statements by a prospective juror regarding the juror’s children’s prior drug use and their involvement with a state’s witness. Second, he claims that the district court erred in admitting evidence seized from his trailer home.

While statements made during voir dire may require reversal if the statements “substantially affect[] or influence[] the verdict,” Mach v. Stewart, 137 F.3d 630, 634 (9th Cir.1998), the statements at issue here did not have such effect. Unlike the statements in Mach , they were neither “expert-like” nor supportive of a state’s witness. Id. at 633 . The district court properly responded to the statements by removing the prospective juror and denying Lytle’s motion for a mistrial.

Physical evidence is inadmissible unless the government shows “that such object is in substantially the same condition as when the crime was committed.” Gallego v. United States, 276 F.2d 914, 917 (9th Cir.1960). In this case, the…