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United States v. Spiller

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

261 F.3d 683 (2001)

Facts

Ernest Spiller (defendant) was charged with drug-related crimes. At trial, the prosecution (plaintiff) sought to introduce handwritten ledgers detailing Spiller’s drug activity. The prosecution presented evidence that Spiller wrote the ledgers. The trial court admitted the ledgers under Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b) (Rule 404(b)) to prove their existence to show motive, intent, preparation, plan, and knowledge. The court also permitted the prosecution to introduce details within the ledgers under Federal Rule of Evidence 801(d)(2) (Rule 801(d)(2)), including the amount of crack cocaine that Spiller’s operation produced. Spiller was convicted, and he appealed. Spiller did not appeal the admissibility of the ledgers to show that they existed under Rule 404(b), but he challenged the admissibility of specific amounts and other details within the ledgers.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Manion, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
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The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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