United States v. Kalevas
United States v. Kalevas
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
The defendants, Gus Kalevas and Thomas Davenport, are named in a seven-count indictment charging them with obstructing and impeding a grand jury investigation, subornation of perjury, intimidation of witnesses, the making of false statements before a grand jury, and conspiracy to commit the aforementioned acts. The indictment alleges that Kalevas and Davenport conspired to obstruct a grand jury investigation of Kalevas’ activities in connection with an interstate prostitution business. Specifically, the indictment charges that Kalevas and Davenport, a lawyer specializing in criminal defense practice, procured and induced Albert Schlanger, Charles Leris and Russel Joseph, all of whom were associated with the affairs of the Roxy Burlesque Theatre, to testify falsely before the grand jury.
Defendant Davenport moves to dismiss the indictment and requests additional discovery, a bill of particulars, and severance from the trial of Kalevas. Kalevas moves to sever his trial from that of Davenport.
DISMISSAL OF THE INDICTMENT
Davenport moves to dismiss the indictment, or alternatively for an in camera inspection of the grand jury proceedings, on the grounds that the grand jury may not have been informed of the criminal
The Supreme Court, in Costello v. United States,
Davenport also moves to dismiss count six of the indictment on two grounds. First, he alleges that count six, which charges him with violations of 18 U.S,C.
The Grand Jury further charges:
In or about May, June, and July 1984, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, defendant THOMAS DAVENPORT, and others known to the Grand Jury, unlawfully, wilfully and knowingly did use intimidation and threaten other persons and attempt to do so, and engaged in misleading conduct towards other persons, with intent to cause and induce said persons to evade legal process summoning those persons to appear as witnesses in an official proceeding, to wit, a Grand Jury investigation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. (Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1512 and 2.)
The foregoing sufficiently, although not in great detail, informs the defendant of the crime charged; it both parallels the language of section 1512 and sets forth an approximate time and place for the acts allegedly committed. Our Court of Appeals has stated on several occasions that “an indictment need do little more than to track the language of the statute charged and state the time and place (in approximate terms) of the alleged crime.”
Second, in arguing for dismissal of count six Davenport raises several constitutional challenges to 18 U.S.C. § 1512, which is part of the Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982.
In Patterson v. New York,
Davenport also alleges that section 1512 is constitutionally deficient because there is no mens rea requirement. The argument was rejected by this Court in United States v. Wilson
Davenport’s final constitutional challenge to section 1512 is that the statute is void for vagueness because it fails to give sufficient notice as to what constitutes “intimidation” or “misleading conduct” and because subsection (d) provides that official proceedings need not be pending at the time the offense occurs. In United States v. Wilson, this Court held that the statute is not unconstitutional, stating, “[wjhether the statements made and the acts engaged in amount to ‘true threats’ is a question of fact for the jury.”
Prior to its amendment in 1982, section 1503 made it unlawful, among other things, to “intimidate” witnesses. Not only were convictions upheld under section 1503 on the basis of intimidation,
For these reasons, Davenport’s motion to dismiss count six of the indictment is denied.
SEVERANCE
Davenport and Kalevas both move to be tried separately on the ground that their defenses are antagonistic. In particular, Davenport wishes to call Kalevas as an exculpatory witness, while at the same time presenting evidence tending to inculpate Kalevas. Counsel for Kalevas states that it is his intention to prove that it was Davenport, and not Kalevas, who engaged in the activities in the indictment. In addition, both defendants allege that Kalevas will be prejudiced if Davenport introduces Kalevas’ indictment in United States v. Castellano,
An analysis of requests for severance must begin from the position that, absent a showing of substantial prejudice, defendants who are indicted jointly should be tried jointly.
The defendants have failed to demonstrate the requisite level of antagonism between their defenses. Neither defendant has shown how he will be prejudiced by his attempt to place the blame upon his co-defendant and thereby exonerate himself. Moreover, even if they succeed in presenting evidence to support their allegations, the jury need not disbelieve the core of Kalevas’ testimony in order to believe Davenport or vice versa; their defenses are not mutually exclusive.
As to Davenport’s claim that severance is justified because he has “a compelling need” to call Kalevas as an exculpatory witness, it suffices to point to the affidavit of Kalevas’ counsel wherein he states his intent “to urge the jury to believe that it was Davenport not Kalevas who engaged in the conspiracy charged in the indictment.”
Both defendants fear prejudice if the jury learns of Kalevas’ other alleged criminal activities, particularly his indictment in United States v. Castellano. Counsel for Davenport has stated he plans to prove that the purpose for Davenport’s meeting with Kalevas was to persuade Kalevas to retain him as counsel in the Castellano matter, not to conspire to suborn perjury or obstruct justice. Davenport and Kalevas both contend that testimony concerning the Castellano indictment will prejudice Kalevas’ ability to obtain a fair trial.
The relevance of the other criminal charges pending against Kalevas to Davenport’s defense here is not immediately apparent. While Davenport may offer as a defense that he attended meetings solely for the purpose of speaking to Kalevas
Moreover, the specific details of the crimes charged may not be admissible under Fed.R.Evid. 403. Even if the other charges of criminal conduct alleged under the prior Kalevas indictment were shown to be somehow relevant to the charges in this case, the probative value of the precise nature of those unrelated charges in assisting Davenport’s defense would be subject to exclusion upon a claim of its prejudicial effect on Kalevas.
Kalevas' argument that severance should be granted because the government may impeach Davenport with statements Davenport made to the FBI regarding Kalevas is also too speculative to support a pre-trial motion for severance. Before the government can use Davenport’s statements to impeach his credibility, Davenport must testify at trial. In that event, the government would not necessarily be in a position to use the relatively few statements Davenport made regarding Kalevas as impeachment material. Any alleged admissions or statements of an inculpatory nature by Davenport could be confined to him. Finally, the evidence must meet the requirements of Rule 403, as well as the requirements for admitting hearsay evidence. As noted above, mere surmise and conjecture are insufficient grounds for severing the trial of two defendants charged with engaging in a conspiracy.
Davenport contends, as a further basis for severance, that he will be prejudiced if the government elicits evidence of Kalevas’ alleged criminal activities. This claim is no better founded than Davenport’s claim that Kalevas may be prejudiced if Davenport discusses Kalevas’ other criminal conduct. Davenport has failed to demonstrate either that Kalevas will testify, thereby subjecting himself to potentially harmful impeachment evidence, or, more importantly, that the jury will be unable to keep the evidence relevant to each defendant separate. “The Court has no doubt that a properly instructed jury will be able to compartmentalize the evidence against each defendant and render a fair verdict as to each.”
The final ground for severance is Davenport’s argument that count seven of the indictment is misjoined under Rule 8 or should be severed because it charges only Kalevas with making false statements before a grand jury. While only Kalevas is alleged to have violated 18 U.S.G. § 1623, all of the conduct alleged in the indictment pertains to an alleged scheme by Kalevas and Davenport to obstruct a single grand jury investigation. The indictment charges Davenport with conspiring with Kalevas to commit obstruction of justice, subornation of perjury and the making of false declarations before a grand jury. Both Davenport
Defendants’ motions for severance are denied. As our Court of Appeals has repeatedly said, the belief of each defendant that he would stand a better chance of acquittal if tried separately from his co-defendant is not a sufficient ground for severance.
DISCOVERY
By letter dated August 1, 1985, counsel for Davenport requested exculpatory material pursuant to Brady v. Maryland,
The purpose of the rule of Brady is to assure that a defendant gains access to material exculpatory evidence known to the government, not to provide a defendant with a general right of pre-trial discovery of all the evidence in the prosecution’s files.
Davenport also seeks discovery of the grand jury subpoenas of the persons he allegedly intimidated in violation of 18
BILL OF PARTICULARS
Defendant Davenport moves for the production of a bill of particulars setting forth the dates, times and places at which Davenport is alleged to have suborned perjury and the specific statements or conduct the government contends constitute threats or intimidation of prospective witnesses. Counts three, four and five of the indictment, relating to the alleged subornation of penury, state the names of those who committed perjury, when they testified before the grand jury and the nature of their testimony. The government, in the letter to defense counsel dated October 10, 1985, supplied the defendants with the names of the persons allegedly intimidated by Davenport and approximate dates for those acts. The indictment, as supplemented by the government, provides defendants with sufficient information to enable them to prepare their defenses and otherwise satisfies the demands of Wong Tai v. United States.
SO ORDERED.
. 18 U.S.C. § 1622. Schlanger, Leris and Joseph pled guilty to charges of perjury and are not named as defendants in this action.
. Kalevas’ motion to suppress evidence seized from his home and statements made to the government is moot. See Martin L. Perschetz Aff., para. 4; Transcript of September 24, 1985 Hearing, at 2.
. See United States v. Wilson, 565 F.Supp. 1416, 1436 (S.D.N.Y. 1983); see also United States v. Massino, 605 F.Supp. 1565, 1580 (S.D.N.Y. 1985); United States v. Gordon, 493 F.Supp. 814, 816-17 (N.D.N.Y. 1980), aff’d, 655 F.2d 478 (2d Cir. 1981).
. Transcript of September 24, 1985 Hearing, at 19-24.
. See United States v. Costello, 119 F.Supp. 159, 160 (S.D.N.Y. 1954); see also United States v. Marchisio, 344 F.2d 653, 670 (2d Cir. 1965); United States v. Weber, 197 F.2d 237, 237-38 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 344 U.S. 834, 73 S.Ct. 42, 97 L.Ed. 649 (1952); United States v. Wilson, 565 F.Supp. 1416, 1436 (S.D.N.Y. 1983); United States v. Garsson, 291 F. 646 (S.D.N.Y. 1923) (L. Hand, L).
. See Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. v. United States, 360 U.S. 395, 398-401, 79 S.Ct. 1237, 1240-42, 3 L.Ed.2d 1323 (1959); United States v. Procter & Gamble Co., 356 U.S. 677, 682, 78 S.Ct. 983, 986, 2 L.Ed.2d 1077 (1958). Cf. Costello v. United States, 350 U.S. 359, 76 S.Ct. 406, 100 L.Ed. 397 (1956).
. 350 U.S. 359, 76 S.Ct. 406, 100 L.Ed. 397 (1956).
. Id. at 363, 76 S.Ct. at 408.
. See United States v. Hogan, 712 F.2d 757, 759 (2d Cir. 1983).
. United States v. Bein, 728 F.2d 107, 113 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 105 S.Ct. 135, 83 L.Ed.2d 75 (1984); see also United States v. Bari, 750 F.2d 1169, 1176-77 (2d Cir. 1984), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 105 S.Ct. 3482, 87 L.Ed.2d 617 (1985); United States v. Estepa, 471 F.2d 1132, 1136 (2d Cir. 1972).
. Cf. United States v. Ciambrone, 601 F.2d 616, 623 (2d Cir. 1979); United States v. Medows, 540 F.Supp. 490, 497 (S.D.N.Y. 1982).
. United States v. Tramunti, 513 F.2d 1087, 1113 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 423 U.S. 832, 96 S.Ct. 55, 46 L.Ed.2d 50 (1975). See also United States v. Bagaric, 706 F.2d 42, 61 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 840, 104 S.Ct. 133, 78 L.Ed.2d 128 (1983); United States v. Mayo, 705 F.2d 62, 77-78 (2d Cir. 1983); United States v. Leris, No. 84 Cr. 744, W.L. 85-400191, (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 4, 1985).
. Cf. Wong Tai v. United States, 273 U.S. 77, 47 S.Ct. 300, 71 L.Ed. 545 (1927).
. Pub.L. No. 97-291, § 4(a), 96 Stat. 1249-50 (1982).
. 421 U.S. 684, 95 S.Ct. 1881, 44 L.Ed.2d 508 (1975).
. 432 U.S. 197, 97 S.Ct. 2319, 53 L.Ed.2d 281 (1977).
. Id. at 210, 97 S.Ct. at 2327. See also United States v. Alvarez-Porras, 643 F.2d 54, 67 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 454 U.S. 839, 102 S.Ct. 146, 70 L.Ed.2d 121 (1981).
. 18 U.S.C. § 1512(a).
. Patterson, 432 U.S. at 206-07, 97 S.Ct. at 2324-25.
. 565 F.Supp. 1416 (S.D.N.Y. 1983).
. Id. at 1430-31.
. Id. at 1431.
. See, e.g., United States v. Cioffi, 493 F.2d 1111 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 917, 95 S.Ct. 195, 42 L.Ed.2d 155 (1974); Overton v. United States, 403 F.2d 444 (5th Cir. 1968); see also United States v. Campanale, 518 F.2d 352 (9th Cir. 1975); United States v. Jackson, 513 F.2d 456 (D.C.Cir. 1975); United States v. Hoff a, 349 F.2d 20 (6th Cir. 1965), aff’d, 385 U.S. 293, 87 S.Ct. 408, 17 L.Ed.2d 374 (1966).
. See Wilson, 565 F.Supp. at 1430 & n. 52.
. 18 U.S.C. § 1515(3) provides:
(3) the term "misleading conduct” means—
(A) knowingly making a false statement;
(B) intentionally omitting information from a statement and thereby causing a portion of such statement to be misleading, or intentionally concealing a material fact, and thereby creating a false impression by such statement;
(C) with intent to mislead, knowingly submitting or inviting reliance on a writing or recording that is false, forged, altered, or otherwise lacking in authenticity;
(D) with intent to mislead, knowingly submitting or inviting reliance on a sample, specimen, map, photograph, boundary mark, or other object that is misleading in a material respect; or
(E) knowingly using a trick, scheme, or device with intent to mislead.
. See United States v. Solow, 138 F.Supp. 812, 814 (S.D.N.Y. 1956); see abo United States v. Vesich, 724 F.2d 451, 455 (5th Cir. 1984); United States v. Schaffner, 715 F.2d 1099, 1103 n. 3 (6th Cir. 1983); United States v. Jackson, 513 F.2d 456, 459-60 (D.C.Cir. 1975).
. Cf. United States v. Scaife, 749 F.2d 338, 348 (6th Cir. 1984) (affirming conviction under § 1512 despite fact that government did not prove defendant knew grand jury proceedings had been instituted); United States v. Wesley, 748 F.2d 962 (5th Cir. 1984) (affirming conviction where defendant threatened potential witnesses), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 105 S.Ct. 2664, 86 L.Ed.2d 281 (1985).
. See S.Rep.No. 97-532, 97th Cong., 2d Sess. 15, reprinted in 1982 U.S.Code Cong. & Ad.News 2515, 2521.
. 84 Crim. 63 (KTD).
. See United States v. Ventura, 724 F.2d 305, 312 (2d Cir. 1983); United States v. Lyles, 593 F.2d 182, 190-91 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 440 U.S. 972, 99 S.Ct. 1537, 59 L.Ed.2d 789 (1979); United States v. Borelli, 435 F.2d 500, 502 (2d Cir. 1970), cert. denied, 401 U.S. 946, 91 S.Ct. 963, 28 L.Ed.2d 229 (1971); United States v. Kahaner, 203 F.Supp. 78, 80-81 (S.D.N.Y. 1962), aff’d, 317 F.2d 459 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 375 U.S. 836, 84 S.Ct. 74, 11 L.Ed.2d 65 (1963).
. See United States v. Lord, 565 F.2d 831, 839 (2d Cir. 1977); United States v. Kahaner, 203 F.Supp. 78, 80-81 (S.D.N.Y. 1962), aff’d, 317 F.2d 459 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 375 U.S. 836, 84 S.Ct. 74, 11 L.Ed.2d 65 (1963). Cf. United States v. Carson, 702 F.2d 351, 366-67 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 462 U.S. 1108, 103 S.Ct. 2457, 77 L.Ed.2d 1335 (1983).
. See United States v. Papadakis, 572 F.Supp. 1518, 1521 (S.D.N.Y. 1983); United States v. Potamitis, 564 F.Supp. 1484, 1487 (S.D.N.Y. 1983), aff’d, 739 F.2d 784 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 105 S.Ct. 297, 83 L.Ed.2d 232 (1984).
. United States v. Carpentier, 689 F.2d 21, 27-28 (2d Cir. 1982), cert. denied, 459 U.S. 1108, 103 S.Ct. 735, 74 L.Ed.2d 957 (1983). See also United States v. Potamitis, 739 F.2d 784, 790 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 105 S.Ct. 297, 83 L.Ed.2d 232 (1984).
. Roger Bennet Adler Aff., at 11.
. This situation is distinguishable from a case in which severance is compelled because one participant in a single illegal transaction claims to have an alibi while his co-defendant signs a confession, admits the transaction and attempts to exculpate himself on other grounds. See United States v. Papadakis, 572 F.Supp. 1518, 1521 n. 5 (S.D.N.Y. 1983) (discussing United States v. Johnson, 478 F.2d 1129 (5th Cir. 1973)).
. Salvatore T. Alfano Aff., at 2.
. See United States v. Marquez, 319 F.Supp. 1016, 1017-18 & n. 3 (S.D.N.Y. 1970); see also United States v. Sliker, 751 F.2d 477, 496 (2d Cir. 1984), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 105 S.Ct. 1772, 84 L.Ed.2d 832 (1985); United States v. Bari, 750 F.2d 1169, 1177 (2d Cir. 1984), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 105 S.Ct. 3482, 87 L.Ed.2d 617 (1985); United States v. Lyles, 593 F.2d 182, 192 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 440 U.S. 972, 99 S.Ct. 1537, 59 L.Ed.2d 789 (1979); United States v. Taylor, 562 F.2d 1345, 1362 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 432 U.S. 909, 97 S.Ct. 2958, 53 L.Ed.2d 1083 (1977); United States v. Finkelstein, 526 F.2d 517, 523-24 (2d Cir. 1975), cert. denied, 425 U.S. 960, 96 S.Ct. 1742, 48 L.Ed.2d 205 (1976).
. See United States v. Torniero, 735 F.2d 725, 730 (2d Cir. 1984), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 105 S.Ct. 788, 83 L.Ed.2d 782 (1985); United States v. Levy, 731 F.2d 997, 1002 (2d Cir. 1984); United States v. Toner, 728 F.2d 115, 121 (2d Cir. 1984); United States v. Smith, 727 F.2d 214, 221 (2d Cir. 1984); see also United States v. Kahaner, 203 F.Supp. 78, 83 (S.D.N.Y. 1962), aff'd, 317 F.2d 459 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 375 U.S. 836, 84 S.Ct. 74, 11 L.Ed.2d 65 (1963).
. See United States v. Pilnick, 267 F.Supp. 791, 800-01 (S.D.N.Y. 1967); United States v. Kahaner, 203 F.Supp. 78, 82 (S.D.N.Y. 1962), aff’d, 317 F.2d 459 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 375 U.S. 836, 84 S.Ct. 74, 11 L.Ed.2d 65 (1963).
. United States v. Potamitis, 564 F.Supp. 1484, 1487 (S.D.N.Y. 1983), aff’d, 739 F.2d 784 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 105 S.Ct. 297, 83 L.Ed.2d 232 (1984). See also United States v. Aloi, 511 F.2d 585, 598-99 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 423 U.S. 1015, 96 S.Ct. 447, 46 L.Ed.2d 386 (1975).
. See Fed.R.Crim.P. 8(b); United. States v. Bagaric, 706 F.2d 42, 69 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 840, 104 S.Ct. 133, 78 L.Ed.2d 128 (1983); United States v. Barton, 647 F.2d 224, 239-240 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 454 U.S. 857, 102 S.Ct. 307, 70 L.Ed.2d 152 (1981); United States v. Weisman, 624 F.2d 1118, 1129 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 871, 101 S.Ct. 209, 66 L.Ed.2d 91 (1980).
. United States v. Panza, 750 F.2d 1141, 1149 (2d Cir. 1984). See also United States v. Lyles, 593 F.2d 182, 190 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 440 U.S. 972, 99 S.Ct. 1537, 59 L.Ed.2d 789 (1979).
. See United States v. Carson, 702 F.2d 351, 366 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 462 U.S. 1108, 103 S.Ct. 2456, 77 L.Ed.2d 1335 (1983); United States v. Losada, 674 F.2d 167, 171 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 457 U.S. 1125, 102 S.Ct. 2945, 73 L.Ed.2d 1341 (1982); United States v. Sotomayor, 592 F.2d 1219, 1228 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 442 U.S. 919, 99 S.Ct. 2842, 61 L.Ed.2d 286 (1979); United States v. Stirling, 571 F.2d 708, 733 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 824, 99 S.Ct. 93, 58 L.Ed.2d 116 (1978); United States v. Lord, 565 F.2d 831, 839 (2d Cir. 1977).
. 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215 (1963).
. Roger Bennet Adler Aff., Exh. B.
. See United States v. Shakur, 543 F.Supp. 1059, 1061 (S.D.N.Y. 1982); see also United States v. LeRoy, 687 F.2d 610, 619 (2d Cir. 1982), cert. denied, 459 U.S. 1174, 103 S.Ct. 823, 74 L.Ed.2d 1019 (1983); United States v. Ruggiero, 472 F.2d 599, 604 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 412 U.S. 939, 93 S.Ct. 2772, 37 L.Ed.2d 398 (1973).
. See United States v. Chitty, 760 F.2d 425, 428-29 (2d Cir. 1985); see also Perkins v. LeFevre, 691 F.2d 616, 619-20 (2d Cir. 1982); United States v. Seijo, 514 F.2d 1357, 1363-65 (2d Cir. 1975).
. 273 U.S. 77, 80-81, 47 S.Ct. 300, 301-02, 71 L.Ed. 545 (1927). See also United States v. Wilson, 565 F.Supp. 1416, 1438-39 (S.D.N.Y. 1983).
. See United States v. Wilson, 565 F.Supp. 1416, 1439 (S.D.N.Y. 1983); United States v. Kahaner, 203 F.Supp. 78, 84 (S.D.N.Y. 1962), aff'd, 317 F.2d 459 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 375 U.S. 836, 84 S.Ct. 74, 11 L.Ed.2d 65 (1963); see also United States v. Gottlieb, 493 F.2d 987, 994 (2d Cir. 1974); United States v. Massino, 605 F.Supp. 1565, 1582 (S.D.N.Y. 1985).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- United States v. Gus KALEVAS and Thomas Davenport
- Cited By
- 1 case
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- Published