U.S. v. Scholle

Citation
United States v. Scholle, 553 F.2d 1109 (8th Cir. 1977) (full-text), ''cert. denied,'' 434 U.S. 940 (1978).

Factual Background
The defendant was convicted of violating federal narcotics laws.

Trial Proceedings
At trial, the government introduced a computer printout representing a compilation of information regarding cocaine exhibits that were compiled from the regional laboratory of a district office of the Drug Enforcement Administration. The government also presented the testimony of the doctor who developed the computerized compilation system.

The compilation revealed that a particular additive to cocaine, which was very uncommon, appeared in only two cases prior to appearing in the cocaine seized and purchased from the defendants. The government was attempting to show, by means of the inference that could be drawn from the compilation evidence, that the defendants were involved in a conspiracy.

Appellate Court Proceedings
In upholding the trial court's exercise of discretion in admitting the compilation, the Eighth Circuit noted that the government had provided a proper foundation by demonstrating that the compilations were made routinely and contemporaneously. In addition, the government provided the original source of the computer program and the procedures for input control that ensured accuracy and reliability.