U.S. v. MATTA-BALLESTEROS

POOLE, Circuit Judge:Page 760

Appellant Juan Ramon Matta-Ballesteros appeals his convictions following jury trial on the following charges: (1) committing a crime of violence in aid of racketeering in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959; (2) conspiring to kidnap a federal agent engaged in his official duties in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1201(c); and (3) kidnapping a federal agent engaged in his official duties in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1201(a)(5). Matta-Ballesteros contends that the district court lacked jurisdiction over him and committed various reversible errors during his trial. We reject his arguments and affirm his convictions.

I

Rafael Caro-Quintero, Ernesto Fonseca-Carrillo, Miguel Angel Felix-Gallardo, Ruben Zuno-Arce, Manuel Ibarra, Miguel Aldana and Javier Barba-Hernandez, all Mexican nationals, jointly operated a marijuana and cocaine trafficking enterprise centered in Guadalajara, Mexico. The enterprise operated marijuana ranches in various Mexican locations.

Matta-Ballesteros was tried with Zuno-Arce and two other alleged coconspirators, Javier Vasquez-Velasco and Juan Jose Bernabe-Ramirez.

Matta-Ballesteros, a Honduran, became involved with the enterprise in 1982 or 1983, and attended meetings where drug trafficking plans were discussed and decided. Felix-Gallardo and Matta-Ballesteros imported large amounts of cocaine into the United States on a number of occasions. At one point during their cocaine trafficking, Matta-Ballesteros and Felix-Gallardo grossed over $5 million a week from this enterprise.

During 1984, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made several significant seizures of marijuana and cocaine which resulted in substantial losses for the enterprise. At a gathering held after the baptism of Barba-Hernandez' daughter in Guadalajara in September 1984, members of the enterprise — with the exception of Matta-Ballesteros — discussed these losses and suggested that the DEA agent they believed was responsible should be "picked up."

At a meeting held prior to the wedding of Barba-Hernandez' brother in Guadalajara in October 1984, members of the enterprise, including Matta-Ballesteros, met and discussed the DEA seizures as well as a police report file covering one of the major marijuana seizures at Zacatecas, Mexico. The DEA agent responsible for the seizures was again discussed. The enterprise held yet another meeting after the wedding, in which Zuno-Arce suggested that the DEA agent should be "picked up" when his identity was discovered.

By December 1984, Fonseca-Carrillo had identified the responsible DEA agent as Special Agent Enrique Camarena. Fonseca-Carrillo said that he would "take care of" Camarena. In February 1985, Zuno-Arce, Fonseca-Carrillo, Caro-Quintero and Barba-Hernandez met in Guadalajara and once again discussed picking up the DEA agent, finding out how much he knew, and learning who was cooperating with him.

Camarena disappeared on February 7, 1985 after leaving the DEA office in Guadalajara. Out-of-court statements, audiotapes and physical evidence, including hair, carpet fibers, sheet fabric and rope strands, showed that Camarena had been taken to a house at 881 Lope del Vega in Guadalajara, where he was held, tortured, interrogated and finally killed.

Matta-Ballesteros was seen checking out of a hotel in Guadalajara on February 12, 1985, apparently after learning he was under surveillance. Hairs consistent with Matta-Ballesteros's were found in the guest house and bedroom at Lope del Vega, suggesting his presence there sometime after the house had been recarpeted in January 1985.

On April 29, 1985, in Cartagena, Colombia, Matta-Ballesteros was detained by Colombian police on charges unrelated to Camarena's kidnapping and murder. The Colombian police took him to Bogata where DEA agents interviewed him. He denied participating in Camarena's murder but admitted having some knowledge of it, which he refused to share because he feared he would be killed if he did. The United States unsuccessfully sought Matta-Ballesteros's extradition on an unrelated criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of New York and failed to follow through on extradition efforts with regard to a previously dismissed, but newly revived fourteen-year-old charge for escape from federal authorities. Matta-Ballesteros returned to Honduras.

Near dawn on April 5, 1988, Matta-Ballesteros was abducted from his home in Tegucigulpa, Honduras. Aided by Honduran Special Troops, or "Cobras," four United States Marshals bound his hands, put a black hood over his head, thrust him on the floor of a car operated by a United States Marshal, and drove him to a United States Air Force Base in Honduras. The Marshals then moved him to the United States, via the Dominican Republic. Within twenty-four hours of his armed abduction Matta-Ballesteros was a prisoner in the federal penitentiary at Marion, Illinois. The government does not dispute that he was forcibly abducted from his home in Honduras.

The government does dispute his account of how he was treated by his abductors. Matta-Ballesteros claims that while being transported bound and hooded to the United States Air Force Base he was beaten and burned with a stun gun at the direction of the Marshals. He claims that during his flight he was once again beaten and tortured by a stun gun applied to various parts of his body, including his feet and genitals.

Matta-Ballesteros unsuccessfully petitioned for a writ of habeas corpus. Matta-Ballesteros v. Henman, 896 F.2d 255 (7th Cir. 1990), cert. denied 111 S. Ct. 209 (1990). Subsequently, he was convicted in the Northern District of Florida for escape. This conviction was upheld on appeal. United States v. Matta, 937 F.2d 567 (11th Cir. 1991).

Following that conviction, Matta-Ballesteros was brought before the Central District of California to face charges that he participated in the conspiracy to kidnap and kill Camarena. In the trial which we review, Matta-Ballesteros was charged, tried and convicted of the following: (1) committing, aiding and abetting or conspiring to commit a violent act in support of an enterprise engaged in racketeering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959; (2) conspiracy to kidnap a federal agent, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1201(c); and (3) participating in the kidnapping of a federal agent, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1201(a)(5). He was acquitted on charges of murdering a federal agent engaged in his official duties, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1111(a).

II

Matta-Ballesteros argues that because of his abduction from Honduras and his being beaten and interrogated during his trip to the United States, the district court was precluded from exercising jurisdiction over him. Specifically, Matta-Ballesteros argues that (a) the extradition treaties between Honduras and the United States prohibit his prosecution, and (b) the shocking nature of his abduction and mistreatment requires dismissal. We review this jurisdictional challenge de novo. United States v. Walczak, 783 F.2d 852, 854 (9th Cir. 1986).

The government argues that Matta-Ballesteros is collaterally estopped from litigating the jurisdiction issue in this court because that issue has already been fully and fairly litigated as to him in two other federal circuits in cases where he challenged jurisdiction on the same grounds, United States v. Matta, 937 F.2d 567 (11th Cir. 1991) and Matta-Ballesteros v. Henman, 896 F.2d 255 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 878 (1990). The government cites no authority showing that the jurisdictional decisions of these circuits have preclusive effect in this case. Both United States v. Cauwenberghe, 934 F.2d 1048 (9th Cir. 1991) and United States v. Borneo, Inc., 971 F.2d 244 (9th Cir. 1992) involve collateral attacks to final judgments, not independent jurisdictional challenges. All of the other cases cited by the government involve similar situations where a party sought collaterally to challenge an adverse judgment on jurisdictional grounds, calling into question the doctrine of res judicata, not collateral estoppel. Durfee v. Duke, 375 U.S. 106, 111-12 (1963); Insurance Corp. of Ireland v. Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinee, 456 U.S. 694, 702 n. 9 (1982). None of these cases stand for the proposition that there is collateral estoppel effect as to the litigation of similar jurisdictional issues in unrelated cases. That is the issue before this court.

A

[1] Matta-Ballesteros argues that the extradition treaties between Honduras and the United States preclude his prosecution because of the recent Supreme Court ruling that treaties are self-executing and bestow rights upon individuals. United States v. Alvarez-Machain, 504 U.S. 655 (1992). However, Alvarez-Machain primarily holds that where the terms of an extradition treaty do not specifically prohibit the forcible abduction of foreign nationals, the treaty does not divest federal courts of jurisdiction over the foreign national. Id. at 664-66. Alvarez-Machain therefore dictates that, in the absence of express prohibitory terms, a treaty's self-executing nature is illusory.

[2] The treaties between the United States and Honduras contain preservations of rights similar to those which Alvarez-Machain held did not sufficiently specify extradition as the only way in which one country may gain custody of a foreign national for purposes of prosecution. Compare 504 U.S. at 665-66 with 1909 Honduras-United States Extradition Treaty ( 37 Stat. 1616; 45 Stat. 2489), Art. VIII; 1933 Inter-Americas Extradition Treaty ( 49 Stat. 3111), Arts. II-IV, XXI. Nothing in the treaties between the United States and Honduras authorizes dismissal of the indictment against Matta-Ballesteros.

B

[3] The Supreme Court has long held that the manner by which a defendant is brought to trial does not affect the government's ability to try him. Ker v. Illinois, 119 U.S. 436, 444 (1886); Frisbie v. Collins, 342 U.S. 519, 522 (1952).

[4] Though we may be deeply concerned by the actions of our government, it is clear in light of recent Supreme Court precedent that the circumstances surrounding Matta-Ballesteros's abduction do not divest this court of jurisdiction in this case. Since we have already concluded that the relevant treaty does not prohibit the abduction, "the rule in Ker applies, and the court need not inquire as to how respondent came before it." Alvarez- Machain, 504 U.S. at 662. In the shadow cast by Alvarez-Machain, attempts to expand due process rights into the realm of foreign abductions, as the Second Circuit did in United States v. Toscanino, 500 F.2d 267 (2d Cir. 1974), have been cut short.

In Toscanino, the defendant alleged that United States agents abducted him from Uruguay, pistol-whipped, bound, blindfolded, brutally tortured, and interrogated him for seventeen days, and finally drugged and brought him to the United States by airplane, all with the knowledge of an Assistant United States Attorney. Id. at 269-70. That court held that if Toscanino's allegations were true, his indictment was subject to dismissal based on the federal court's supervisory powers over the administration of criminal justice first outlined by the Supreme Court in McNabb v. United States, 318 U.S. 332, 340-41 (1943). In holding that the supervisory powers of the court could require dismissal, Toscanino relied in part on Supreme Court decisions addressing other types of outrageous governmental conduct, including Rochin v. California, 342 U.S. 165, 172 (1972) and United States v. Russell, 411 U.S. 423, 431-32 (1973). Toscanino, 500 F.2d at 274-76.

The Toscanino court relied upon Rochin and other Supreme Court decisions since Ker that it believed had effectively overruled the Ker-Frisbie doctrine in holding that due process required dismissal. Id. at 275. The Toscanino court stated that the Ker-Frisbie doctrine could not "be reconciled with the Supreme Court's expansion of the concept of due process, which now protects the accused against pretrial illegality by denying to the government the fruits of its exploitation of any deliberate and unnecessary lawlessness on its part." Id.
Later Supreme Court cases illustrate that the Toscanino court was not prescient. The Supreme Court has consistently reaffirmed the Ker-Frisbie doctrine, most recently in Alvarez-Machain. Additionally, the Court has held that a defendant's body is not a suppressible fruit, and the illegality of a defendant's detention cannot deprive the government of the opportunity to prove his guilt. Gerstein v. Pugh, 420 U.S. 103, 119 (1975); United States v. Crews, 445 U.S. 463, 474 (1980). Thus, the court should only consider dismissing the indictment based upon its supervisory powers.

Russell cited Rochinas support for the proposition that "due process principles [could] absolutely bar the government from invoking judicial processes to obtain an conviction . . . ." Russell, 411 U.S. at 431-32.

[5] This court has held, however, that we have inherent supervisory powers to order dismissal of prosecutions for only three legitimate reasons: (1) to implement a remedy for the violation of a recognized statutory or constitutional right; (2) to preserve judicial integrity by ensuring that a conviction rests on appropriate considerations validly before a jury; and (3) to deter future illegal conduct. United States v. Simpson, 927 F.2d 1088, 1090, cert. denied, 484 U.S. 898 (1987). See also United States v. Hastings, 461 U.S. 499, 505 (1982); United States v. Gatto, 763 F.2d 1040, 1044 (9th Cir. 1985). We review dismissal based on the exercise of supervisory powers for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Restrepo, 930 F.2d 705, 712 (9th Cir. 1991).

[6] The circumstances surrounding Matta-Ballesteros's abduction, while disturbing to us and conduct we seek in no way to condone, meet none of these criteria. It is particularly troublesome to us that the alleged acts were conducted by United States Marshals, officials who purportedly act in our best interest. Although they are members of the Executive Branch, Marshals serve a very special purpose within the judiciary, because their "primary role and mission[is] to provide for the security and to obey, execute, and enforce, all orders of the United States District Courts, the United States Courts of Appeals, and the Court of International Trade." 28 U.S.C. § 566(a). While it may seem unconscionable to some that officials serving the interests of justice themselves become agents of criminal intimidation, like the DEA agents in Alvarez-Machain, their purported actions have violated no recognized constitutional or statutory rights. They have likewise engaged in no illegal conduct which this court could attempt to deter in the future by invoking its supervisory powers.

Matta-Ballesteros's abduction, even if we labelled it a "kidnapping," does not violate recognized constitutional or statutory provisions in light of Alvarez-Machain. Kidnapping also does not qualify as a jus cogens norm, such that its commission would be justiciable in our courts even absent a domestic law. Jus cogens norms, which are nonderogable and peremptory, enjoy the highest status within customary international law, are binding on all nations, and can not be preempted by treaty. Committee of U.S. Citizens Living in Nicaragua v. Reagan, 859 F.2d 929, 939-40 (D.C. Cir. 1988). While Art. 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights does state that no one "shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile," G.A. Res. 217A(III), 3(1), U.N. GAOR Resolutions 71, U.N. Doc. A1810 (1940), kidnapping does not rise to the level of other jus cogens norms, such as torture, murder, genocide, and slavery. See Siderman de Blake v. Republic of Argentina, 965 F.2d 699, 717 (9th Cir. 1992), cert. denied, 113 S. Ct. 1812 (1993) ("[W]e conclude that the right to be free from official torture is fundamental and universal, a right deserving of the highest status under international law, a norm of jus cogens.").

[7] The only way we could exercise our supervisory powers in this particular case is if the defendant could demonstrate governmental misconduct "of the most shocking and outrageous kind," so as to warrant dismissal. United States v. Valot, 625 F.2d 308, 310 (9th Cir. 1980). See also United States v. Fielding, 645 F.2d 719, 723 (9th Cir. 1981) and Leiterman v. Rushen, 704 F.2d 442, 443 (9th Cir. 1983). Matta-Ballesteros has not. His alleged treatment, even if taken as true, does not meet this rigorous standard, and the acts alleged were not nearly as egregious as those committed in Toscanino.

The district court conducted a limited evidentiary hearing, concluding that Matta-Ballesteros failed to make" `a strong showing of grossly cruel and unusual barbarities inflicted upon him by persons who can be characterized as paid agents of the United States.' United States v. Lovato, 520 F.2d 1270, 1271 (9th Cir.) (per curiam), cert. denied, 423 U.S. 985 (1975). Defendant's allegations of mistreatment, even if taken as true, do not constitute such barbarism as to warrant dismissal of the indictment under the caselaw."[Excerpts of Record 60] The district court's findings are reviewed for clear error. Fielding, 645 F.2d at 724.

During the evidentiary hearing, the court heard testimony from Matta-Ballesteros about the purported torture, and he submitted pictures taken upon his arrival at the federal prison as well as a report on stun guns and the declarations of several eyewitnesses who declared he was shocked with the stun guns. The court also considered testimony or declarations from a psychologist and two physicians who examined Matta-Ballesteros, Dr. Donald Valles and Dr. John Van der Decker, who indicated that the cause of his injuries was inconclusive. Additionally, the court considered the declarations and testimony of Juan Morales and Roberto Escobar, United States Marshals who were present at Matta-Ballesteros's capture in Honduras, and who transported him from the Dominican Republic to Marion. They contradicted his testimony, and alleged that he was not tortured and that no stun gun was used on him.

[8] While we may have a suspicion of Matta-Ballesteros's inhumane treatment, and the evidence reasonably could support a finding that he was tortured, it could also support the conclusion of the district court. Because the district court's account of the evidence is plausible in light of the record viewed in its entirety, we may not reverse it even though we may be convinced that, sitting as the trier of fact, we would have weighed the evidence differently. Employees Int'l Union v. Fair Political Practices, 955 F.2d 1312, 1317 n. 7 (9th Cir.) (quoting Anderson v. Bessemer City, 470 U.S. 564, 573-74 (1985)), cert. denied, 112 S. Ct. 3056 (1992). We are therefore bound by the district court's findings, and hold that its determination regarding the alleged torture was not clearly erroneous.

[9] Thus, much as we may want to dismiss this case through an exercise of our supervisory powers, to do so would be unwarranted. The district court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to exercise such powers. In retaining jurisdiction of this case, we now turn to the specifics of Matta- Ballesteros's appeals.

As the government suggests, the availability of civil damages may be a sufficient remedy for the misconduct alleged by Matta-Ballesteros. See Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents, 403 U.S. 388, 397 (1971).

III

Matta-Ballesteros argues that the evidence against him was insufficient to support his conviction. In considering a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, we decide, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, whether any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Aichele, 941 F.2d 761 (9th Cir. 1991).

[10] The essential elements of a conspiracy are (1) an agreement to accomplish an illegal objective, (2) the commission of an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy, and (3) the requisite intent necessary to commit the underlying offense. United States v. Thomas, 887 F.2d 1341, 1347 (9th Cir. 1989). An agreement may be inferred from the defendant's acts pursuant to the scheme, or other circumstantial evidence, and a defendant's proximity to the scene of illicit activity may support an inference when viewed in context with other evidence. Id. at 1347-48. Once the existence of a conspiracy is shown, the government need only prove a slight connection between the defendant and the conspiracy. Aichele, 941 F.2d at 763-64. A defendant's knowledge of and participation in a conspiracy may be inferred from circumstantial evidence and from evidence of the codefendants' actions. Acts which seem otherwise innocent, when viewed in the context of the surrounding circumstances, may justify an inference of complicity. Id.; see also United States v. Sanchez-Mata, 925 F.2d 1166, 1168 (9th Cir. 1991).

[11] The evidence showed that Matta-Ballesteros was a member of the Guadalajara cartel and that he participated in some of the meetings with other members of the cartel where Camarena's kidnapping was planned. The evidence also showed members of the cartel abducted, tortured and murdered Camarena. The testimony of Hector Cervantes-Santos, which the jury believed and which is not inherently incredible, tied Matta-Ballesteros specifically to the crime. Thus, the evidence was sufficient to show that Matta-Ballesteros was involved in a conspiracy targeted at Camarena. Furthermore, because a conspirator is liable for all foreseeable substantive offenses committed in furtherance of the conspiracy, Pinkerton v. United States, 328 U.S. 640, 646-47 (1946), there was also sufficient evidence to support his conviction on the substantive charges.

Matta-Ballesteros cites United States v. DePew, 932 F.2d 324 (4th Cir.), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 873 (1991), as support for his contention that he had no intent to kidnap a specific DEA agent, Camarena, even if the evidence against him is viewed in the light most favorable to the government. However, DePew does not support his argument. The DePew court held that there was sufficient evidence of a conspiracy to kidnap because although "every detail of their plan had not been agreed upon, the essential nature of the plan was in place . . ." Id. at 326. Indeed, the evidence of intent to kidnap a specific person was absent in DePew, where the conspiracy was to kidnap a young boy of approximately 12 years of age. Id. In this case, the evidence shows that, whether or not his name was known at all times, Camarena was the target of the conspiracy.

Additionally, the jury could have properly convicted him as an aider and abettor in the commission of a violent act under 18 U.S.C. § 1959 and as a participant in the kidnapping or confinement of Camarena under 18 U.S.C. § 1201(a)(5).

IV

[12] Matta-Ballesteros argues that the district court erred in not granting him a new trial because the jurors knew about his prior convictions during the deliberations on his charges. Where extraneous materials are presented to the jury, the defendant will receive a new trial if we find a reasonable possibility that the material could have affected the verdict. United States v. Maree, 934 F.2d 196, 201 (9th Cir. 1991) (citing United States v. Madrid, 842 F.2d 1090, 1093-94 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 912 (1988)). We review the district court's findings as to historical facts relating to the issue of jury misconduct for clear error. United States v. Shirley, 884 F.2d 1130, 1132 (9th Cir. 1989).

[13] The district court denied Matta-Ballesteros's motion. See United States v. Caro-Quintero, 769 F. Supp. 1564 (C.D. Cal. 1991). The court held that the single juror who testified that the jury had access to extraneous information during its deliberation on the charges against Matta-Ballesteros was not credible, based on the contradiction between his testimony during the in camera examination, his declaration, and his testimony at the evidentiary hearing. We review the trial court's ruling on the credibility of a witness for clear error. United States v. Clawson, 831 F.2d 909, 914 (9th Cir. 1987), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 923 (1988). Furthermore,"when a trial judge's finding is based on his decision to credit the testimony of one of two or more witnesses, each of whom has told a coherent and facially plausible story that is not contradicted by extrinsic evidence, that finding, if not internally inconsistent, can virtually never be clear error." Anderson v. Bessemer City, 470 U.S. 564, 575 (1984).

Matta-Ballesteros further argues that the district court's findings regarding the jury's access to extraneous information are erroneous because the court initially examined the jurors without all counsel present and refused to allow counsel to examine the jurors. The district court has broad discretion to determine the type of investigation which must be mounted, and a full-blown evidentiary hearing is not required. The district court's primary obligation is to fashion a responsible procedure for ascertaining whether misconduct actually occurred and, if so, whether it was prejudicial. United States v. Boylan, 898 F.2d 230, 258 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 849 (1990); see also United States v. Langford, 802 F.2d 1176, 1180 (9th Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 483 U.S. 1008 (1987) (stating that "not every allegation that extraneous information has reached the jury requires a full-dress hearing.") The district court gave counsel transcripts from the in camera hearing and allowed them to submit proposed questions to the court. This procedure was sufficient. The record reflects that the district court sufficiently developed the facts surrounding this issue.

[14] This case is no exception. The single juror's testimony contradicted the testimony of other jurors as well as his own prior testimony. The juror's testimony also was vague as to exactly when he learned of Matta-Ballesteros's prior convictions and the substance of what he learned about them before a verdict was reached. This testimony provides no basis for finding that the jury received extraneous information. Therefore, the district court's finding that the jury did not have access to extraneous information is not clearly erroneous.

V

Matta-Ballesteros argues that the district court erred in (1) denying his motion to exclude hair comparison evidence as untimely, and (2) admitting expert testimony regarding hair comparison. We review both of these rulings for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Vasquez, 858 F.2d 1387, 1389 (9th Cir. 1988), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 1034 (1989); United States v. Christophe, 833 F.2d 1296 (9th Cir. 1987).

The motion cut-off date in this case was set by the district court pursuant to Fed.R.Crim.P. 12(c) at March 7, 1990. Matta-Ballesteros argues that his motion to exclude the hair comparison evidence, filed May 15, 1990, was filed as soon as possible. The record does not support this contention. The primary reason that Matta-Ballesteros gives for filing late, the government's intransigence in providing the hair samples, is not a reason for filing the motion late but is rather a reason for filing the motion earlier on different grounds. The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying the untimely motion pursuant to Fed.R.Crim.P. 12(f).

Furthermore, Fed.R.Evid. 702 did not warrant the exclusion of the expert testimony. Matta-Ballesteros's objection went to the weight, not the admissibility, of the testimony. United States v. Oaxaca, 569 F.2d 518, 526 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 926 (1978). The jury was able to consider the fact that microscopic hair comparison could not determine that the hairs found at Lope del Vega belonged to Matta-Ballesteros's. This was acknowledged both on direct and on cross-examination, and Matta-Ballesteros's own expert testified on this issue. The jury was further able to evaluate the prosecution expert's conclusion in light of all the evidence and give it the appropriate weight. Therefore, the district court did not abuse its discretion in allowing the expert testimony.

VI

Matta-Ballesteros challenges the district court's exclusion of the evidence that he argues requires reversal of his conviction.

A

Matta-Ballesteros argues that the district court erred in excluding as inadmissible hearsay a report prepared by a psychologist who met with Matta-Ballesteros at the Marion prison, and a presentence report prepared by a probation officer. Matta-Ballesteros argues that these documents support his contention that he is illiterate and therefore could not have been seen reading the police reports of the Zacatecas drug seizure as the government's main witness, Hector Cervantes-Santos, Barba-Hernandez' former employee, testified. We review the district court's exclusion of evidence under the hearsay rule for an abuse of discretion. United States v. George, 960 F.2d 97, 99-100 (9th Cir. 1992).

The district court excluded the psychologist's report because it determined that Matta-Ballesteros's statement regarding his illiteracy was not made for purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment. The court's ruling refers to Fed.R.Evid. 803(4), which provides an exception to the hearsay rule for "[s]tatements made for the purpose of medical diagnosis or treatment and describing medical history, or past or present symptoms, pain or sensations, or the inception of general character of the cause or external source thereof insofar as reasonably pertinent to diagnosis or treatment."

The statement in the psychologist's report had nothing to do with Matta-Ballesteros's diagnosis or treatment. Indeed, Matta-Ballesteros was ordered to see the prison psychologist and did not even believe that he had any reason to see the psychologist. Matta-Ballesteros thus had no special incentive to be truthful. See 4 J. Weinstein M. Berger, Weinstein's Evidence, § 803(4)[02] (1992). Therefore, the district court did not abuse its discretion in excluding the psychologist's report under Rule 803(4).

The hearsay statement in the presentence report is not admissible to show that Matta-Ballesteros may be illiterate. "No firmly rooted exception to the hearsay rule can possibly apply to the Presentence Report." United States v. Fortier, 911 F.2d 100, 104 (8th Cir. 1990), overruled on different grounds, United States v. Wise, 976 F.2d 393 (8th Cir. 1992), cert. denied, 113 S. Ct. 1592 (1993). The presentence report is not admissible at trial to prove any of the hearsay contained therein.

B

Matta-Ballesteros argues that the district court abused its discretion in excluding authenticated records from the four Guadalajara municipalities regarding the nonexistence of both the marriage of Jorge Barba-Hernandez and the birth of Yuremi Barba-Hernandez, and in excluding Jorge Barba-Hernandez' Guadalajara death certificate. Matta-Ballesteros argues that these records prove facts inconsistent with Cervantes-Santos's testimony that Matta-Ballesteros had attended meetings on the occasion of Jorge Barba-Hernandez' wedding and Yuremi Barba-Hernandez' birth.

However, Matta-Ballesteros cannot establish the absence of public records under Fed.R.Evid. 803(10) because he failed to show as a preliminary matter under Fed.R.Evid. 104(b) that the events necessarily occurred in one of the four Guadalajara municipalities. There are 2,800 other municipalities in Mexico where the marriage and birth could have occurred. Furthermore, if only a religious marriage occurs or if parents do not register a child after birth, there may be no records at all. Finally, there was no legal requirement for prior marriages to be recorded on a death certificate, even if both were registered within the same municipality. "When the relevancy of evidence depends upon the fulfillment of a condition of fact, the court shall admit it upon, or subject to, the introduction of evidence sufficient to support a finding of the fulfillment of the condition." Id.; see also United States v. Regner, 677 F.2d 754, 758 n. 3 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 459 U.S. 911 (1982) (affirming the admission of a government record under 803(10) based on evidence that foreign government-owned taxicab company owned all taxicabs and was legally required to record all accidents involving taxicabs). Therefore, the district court did not abuse its discretion in determining that the conditional relevance requirements had not been met and in excluding the records from these four municipalities.

VII

Matta-Ballesteros argues that the district court erred in admitting audiotape recordings of Camarena's torture and interrogation at Lope del Vega because (1) there was an inadequate showing of authenticity and chain of custody, and (2) the tapes and transcripts were unduly prejudicial under Fed.R.Evid. 403. We review the district court's ruling for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Black, 767 F.2d 1334, 1342 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 474 U.S. 1022 (1985); United States v. Layton, 855 F.2d 1388, 1402 (9th Cir. 1988), cert. denied, 489 U.S. 1046 (1989).

[15] Matta-Ballesteros incorrectly asserts that the district court failed to comply with the requirements for admitting tape recordings into evidence set forth in United States v. McMillan, 508 F.2d 101, 104 (8th Cir. 1974), cert. denied, 421 U.S. 916 (1975). The Eighth Circuit has said that "when the facts demonstrate that the recording was found in a defendant's possession, it should not be subject to the same requirements we apply when a government agent or informant initiates a conversation knowing it is to be recorded . . . . [U]nder such circumstances mechanical or wooden application of the McMillan requirements is [not] necessary." United States v. O'Connell, 841 F.2d 1408, 1420 (8th Cir. 1988), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 1011 (1989).

McMillan requires the proponent of such evidence to show (1) the recording device was capable of taping the conversation; (2) the operator was competent to operate the device; (3) the recording was authentic and correct; (4) no changes, additions or deletions have been made in the recording; (5) the recording is shown to have been preserved; (6) the speakers are identified; and (7) the elicited conversation was made without inducement. Id.

[16] The audiotapes were obtained from one of Matta-Ballesteros's codefendants. We have held that tapes are sufficiently authenticated under Fed.R.Evid. 901(a) if "sufficient proof has been introduced so that a reasonable juror could find in favor of authenticity or identification." Black, 767 F.2d at 1342, (citing 5 J. Weinstein M. Berger, Weinstein's Evidence ¶ 901(a)[01], at 901-16 to 17 (1983)). This is done by proving a connection between the evidence and the party against whom the evidence is admitted, and can be done by both direct and circumstantial evidence. Id. The district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the tapes because the government presented evidence to show that it had not tampered with the tapes and that the speakers were parties involved in this case. We have found similar showings to be sufficient in other cases. See O'Connell, 841 F.2d at 1420-21; United States v. Kandiel, 865 F.2d 967, 974 (8th Cir. 1989).

[17] The district court also did not abuse its discretion despite the defects in chain of custody. The prosecution must introduce sufficient proof so that a reasonable juror could find that tapes are in substantially the same condition as when they were seized, and may admit the tapes if there is a reasonable probability the tapes have not been changed in important respects. United States v. Harrington, 923 F.2d 1371 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 854 (1991) (citing Gallego v. United States, 276 F.2d 914, 917 (9th Cir. 1960)). Furthermore, a defect in the chain of custody goes to the weight, not the admissibility, of the evidence introduced. United States v. Robinson, 967 F.2d 287, 292 (9th Cir. 1992) (citing United States v. Candoli, 870 F.2d 496, 509 (9th Cir. 1989)). The evidence presented by the prosecution is sufficient to meet this burden, and there is arguably no defect in the chain of custody since there is evidence tracing the tapes from Matta-Ballesteros's codefendant's possession to trial.

[18] The probative value of the tapes was not outweighed by their prejudicial nature. The tapes were submitted as evidence not only to show what was said but also to rebut the defendants' assertion that Camarena's injuries could have occurred after his death, and to show the intent and motive of Camarena's kidnappers. These legitimate purposes, along with the district court's limiting instruction, show that the court did not abuse its discretion in determining that the tapes were not unduly prejudicial despite their gruesome content. We give "wide latitude to the trial judge in determining the admissibility of evidence because he is in the best position to assess the impact and effect of evidence based upon what he perceives from the live proceedings of the trial, while we can review only a cold record." United States v. Ford, 632 F.2d 1354, 1377 (9th Cir. 1980), cert. denied, 450 U.S. 934 (1981). The district court properly admitted the tapes.

VIII

Matta-Ballesteros argues that the district court erred in evaluating the effect of pretrial identification procedures and in determining that Cervantes-Santos's in-court identification was not impermissibly tainted. We review the constitutionality of pretrial identification procedures de novo. United States v. Love, 746 F.2d 477, 478 (9th Cir. 1984); see also United States v. Nash, 946 F.2d 679, 681 (9th Cir. 1991). To determine whether an identification procedure is so impermissibly tainted as to give rise to a substantial likelihood of mistaken identification and thereby a violation of due process, we review the totality of the circumstances. See Simmons v. United States, 390 U.S. 377, 384 (1968).

Cervantes-Santos had an opportunity to observe Matta-Ballesteros at the two meetings and over approximately a one day period in October 1984. In January 1990, Cervantes-Santos was shown a collection of 97 photographs of various suspects, including Matta-Ballesteros. Prior to testifying, Cervantes-Santos was shown photographs of Matta-Ballesteros and other Camarena defendants. However, Cervantes-Santos was never told that any person in any photograph was Matta-Ballesteros.

The pretrial procedure was not impermissibly suggestive, and therefore did not violate due process. See United States v. Bagley, 772 F.2d 482 (9th Cir. 1985), cert. denied, 475 U.S. 1023 (1986). There is no record in this case that Cervantes-Santos was told or led to believe that any person in any of the pictures that he was shown prior to his in-court identification was Matta-Ballesteros. While Matta-Ballesteros's picture was not shown among a more conventional photo array, where similar looking individuals or people who are not suspects are also shown, there is no basis for concluding that the procedure here was impermissibly suggestive.

In any event, the totality of the circumstances suggests that the in-court identification was reliable. Id. The circumstances to be considered are (1) the opportunity of the witness to view the criminal at the time of the crime; (2) the witness' degree of attention; (3) the accuracy of the witness' prior description of the defendant; (4) the level of certainty demonstrated by the witness at confrontation; and (5) the length of time between the crime and the confrontation. Neil v. Biggers, 409 U.S. 188, 199-200 (1972). Cervantes-Santos had a great deal more time to view Matta-Ballesteros than many witnesses have to view a defendant, and spent much of that time in the same room with him. Cervantes-Santos was also able to describe Matta-Ballesteros's appearance in 1984 in detail during his testimony. Finally, Cervantes-Santos correctly identified Matta- Ballesteros in court. The intervening six years between Cervantes- Santos's observation and in-court identification do not make the latter unreliable.

IX

Matta-Ballesteros argues that the district court erred in quashing his subpoena requesting discovery on the United States government's alleged authorization of the racketeering enterprise alleged in the indictment pursuant to Fed.R.Crim.P. 16(a). Matta-Ballesteros also argues that, as a result, the district court erred in excluding relevant evidence. We review these rulings for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Polizzi, 801 F.2d 1543, 1551 (9th Cir. 1986); United States v. Harrington, 923 F.2d 1371, 1374 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 854 (1991). Underlying factual determinations are reviewed for clear error. United States v. Laurins, 857 F.2d 529, 541 (9th Cir. 1988), cert. denied, 492 U.S. 906 (1989).

Matta-Ballesteros and other defendants attempted to assert a defense of public authority. See Fed.R.Crim.P. 12.3. The defendants primarily relied on a news article concerning an alleged connection between Felix-Gallardo, the CIA, and the Nicaraguan Contras with respect to arms smuggling. The defendants also relied on testimony from a government witness, Lawrence Harrison. Ultimately, however, Harrison testified that he had no personal knowledge of CIA involvement with drug traffickers in Mexico.

Jeff Gerth, CIA Shedding Its Reluctance to Aid in Fight Against Drugs, N.Y. Times, March 25, 1990 at A1, A22.

The court's determination that there was no evidence of a connection between the defendants' activities and the government, and that the subpoena was not likely to lead to the discovery of relevant evidence, was not clearly erroneous. There was no showing that any relationship between Felix-Gallardo, the CIA, and the Nicaraguan Contras amounted to United States government approval of the narcotics enterprise alleged in the indictment. Indeed, the evidence at trial concerning the DEA's aggressive enforcement of the United States' laws against narcotics trafficking showed exactly the opposite. A defendant is not entitled to government documents relating to alleged CIA involvement in his criminal activity where no sufficient showing of potential relevance has been made under Fed.R.Crim.P. 16. See United States v. Little, 753 F.2d 1420, 1444-45 (9th Cir. 1984). Therefore, the district court did not abuse its discretion in quashing the subpoena and, consequently, in excluding evidence of CIA authorization.

Furthermore, this defense would probably fail as a matter of law. "[T]he CIA is prohibited from violating the statutes of the United States and hence, a CIA agent could not lawfully authorize the violation of the federal drug laws." United States v. Rosenthal, 793 F.2d 1214, 1235 (11th Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 480 U.S. 919 (1987).

X

[19] Matta-Ballesteros argues that the district court erred in denying his motion for severance and that joinder in this case was improper and prejudicial under Fed.R.Crim.P. 8(a), 8(b), and 14. Generally, defendants jointly charged are jointly tried. United States v. Hernandez, 952 F.2d 1110, 1114 (9th Cir. 1991), cert. denied, 113 S. Ct. 334 (1992). We review the district court's denial of severance for an abuse of discretion, and a defendant seeking reversal has the burden of proving clear, manifest or undue prejudice from a joint trial. United States v. Joetzki, 952 F.2d 1090, 1094 (9th Cir. 1991). The evidence of prejudice must demonstrate that Matta-Ballesteros was denied a fair trial. Id.

[20] The gist of Matta-Ballesteros's argument is that he was joined and tried along with counts charging only his codefendants, whom he contends were engaged in an altogether different racketeering enterprise based on different acts or transactions. Matta-Ballesteros further argues that the introduction of evidence involving three homicides and a marijuana enterprise with which he was not involved prejudiced him.

Counts Nine and Ten charged Bernabe-Ramirez (and others not on trial) with hindering a federal prosecution in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 3 for aiding in Caro-Quintero's escape from federal prison.

Counts One and Two charged Vasquez-Velasco (and others not on trial) with violence in aid of racketeering in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959 for the murders of American citizens John Walker and Alberto Redelat, who apparently were mistaken for DEA agents. Count Five charged Bernabe-Ramirez (and others not on trial) with violence in aid of racketeering in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959 for the murder of DEA helicopter pilot Alfredo Zavala-Avelar.

[21] These arguments are without merit. The codefendants' charges bore a relationship to one another. Because all of the defendants, including Matta-Ballesteros, were charged with conspiring to commit and committing violent acts in furtherance of drug enterprises having similar memberships and objectives, Matta-Ballesteros was not prejudiced by joinder. "[T]he term `transactions' has a flexible meaning" and there can be a "logical relationship between the transactions greater than the mere factual similarity of events." United States v. Felix-Gutierrez, 940 F.2d 1200, 1208 (9th Cir. 1991), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 113 S. Ct. 2332 (1993) (citing Ford, 632 F.2d at 1371-72). Additionally, the fact that more evidence was introduced against his codefendants is insufficient to show that joinder was improper. Polizzi, 801 F.2d at 1554.

[22] Furthermore, there was no prejudice from the joinder because the jury was able to compartmentalize the evidence on the various counts against each defendant. See Felix-Gutierrez, 940 F.2d at 1210. The district court instructed the jury several times during trial that evidence was not admitted against one or more codefendants, and gave a general limiting instruction to the jury before deliberations. These instructions militate against Matta-Ballesteros's prejudice claim. "Judicial economy justifies reliance on the jury to follow the instructions of the court that segregate the evidence and limit the applicability of the evidence to each defendant." United States v. Vaccaro, 816 F.2d 443, 448 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 928 (1987). The district court did not abuse its discretion in trying Matta-Ballesteros as he was charged.

XI

Matta-Ballesteros argues that the district court erred in instructing the jury regarding his liability under 18 U.S.C. § 1959. Matta-Ballesteros contends that the district court's instruction that he could be found guilty of violating section 1959 if he "participated in the commission of a violent act as charged . . . or aided and abetted in the commission of the violent acts as charged or . . . conspired in the commission of the violent acts as charged" added an uncharged crime to the indictment. Matta-Ballesteros further contends that, due to this instruction, there is no way of determining whether he was convicted based on a unanimous verdict. An assertion that the trial court's jury instructions misstated the elements of a crime is a question of law that we review de novo. United States v. Streit, 962 F.2d 894, 898 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 113 S. Ct. 431 (1992). We determine whether, viewing the instructions as a whole, the court gave adequate instruction, and whether the instruction was misleading or stated the law incorrectly to the prejudice of the objecting party. United States v. Terry, 911 F.2d 272, 279 (9th Cir. 1990) (citations omitted).

There is no merit to Matta-Ballesteros's argument. Count Four of the indictment charged that Matta-Ballesteros "did aid, abet, counsel, induce, procure, cause and otherwise willfully participate" in a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959. The district court dismissed Count Three of the indictment, which charged Matta-Ballesteros in a conspiracy to violate section 1959, because it determined that this count was duplicitous of Count Four. In dismissing Count Three, the district court held, and Matta-Ballesteros agreed, that Count Four contained a conspiracy charge; no additional crime was added to the indictment in the jury instructions. Furthermore, the court instructed the jury that "unanimous agreement among the jurors that the defendant engaged in at least one of the types of conduct" was required. This is sufficient to ensure a unanimous verdict. See United States v. Castro, 887 F.2d 988, 991 (9th Cir. 1989); United States v. Frazin, 780 F.2d 1461, 1468 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 844 (1986). There was no error in the district court's instruction.

Matta-Ballesteros also argues that, due to the instruction, there is no way of determining whether he was properly sentenced. This issue is of no moment. Matta-Ballesteros's contention that he would be subject to a lesser sentence if the jury convicted him of conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 371 ignores the holding in Pinkerton, 328 U.S. at 646-47, which makes conspirators liable for every substantive offense committed in furtherance of the conspiracy. Furthermore, Matta-Ballesteros was subject to the same sentence under section 1959, either as a primary participant, aider and abettor, or conspirator. 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(1).

None of the alleged errors committed by the district court afford Matta-Ballesteros any relief. The judgment of the district court is therefore AFFIRMED.

The full court has been advised of the suggestion for rehearing en banc, and no active judge has requested a vote on whether to rehear the matter en banc. Fed.R.App.P. 35.

The petition for rehearing is denied, and the suggestion for rehearing en banc is rejected.