UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE TENTH CIRCUIT

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff-Appellee,

v.

TERRY HARDING, also known as Terrell Harding, also known as Terry Terrell Harding, also known as T-Roc,

Defendant-Appellant.

No. 00-5136

(D.C. No. 99-CR-72-K)

(N.D. Okla.)

ORDER AND JUDGMENT*

Before HENRY, BRISCOE, and MURPHY, Circuit Judges.

After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously to grant the parties' request for a decision on the briefs without oral argument. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(f); 10th Cir. R. 34.1(G). The case is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.

Defendant Terrell Harding appeals from his conviction for bank robbery, aiding and abetting, and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. He challenges three evidentiary rulings by the district court as improper and prejudicial and contends that they require reversal, either as fundamental or plain error. Our jurisdiction over this appeal arises from 28 U.S.C. § 1291; we review the district court's rulings to admit or exclude evidence only for an abuse of the court's discretion. United States v. Davis, 40 F.3d 1069, 1073 (10th Cir. 1994).

Our review of the record on appeal in light of the standard of review and applicable substantive law convinces us that the challenged evidentiary rulings were not error. First, defendant contends that certain testimony from a bank teller who witnessed the crime--that she feared for her life and that another teller was crying--was irrelevant and unduly prejudicial. The statutory provisions under which defendant was charged and ultimately convicted, 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a), (d), make it clear that this testimony was relevant.1 Further, in light of ample other, unchallenged, testimony regarding defendant's repeated threats to kill her and her belief in that intent, the challenged testimony was not unduly prejudicial.

Second, defendant contends that the district court wrongly allowed testimony regarding an accomplice's prior convictions, including a conviction for perjury for falsely testifying in defendant's first criminal trial. He argues that the government was trying to infer he had threatened his accomplice. The trial transcript indicates that the accomplice was directly asked several times whether defendant had threatened him or coerced his false testimony in any way; however, the accomplice denied any threats or fear of defendant in connection with his testimony. Accordingly, defendant has shown no prejudice arising from this testimony. Without a showing of prejudice, defendant cannot prevail on his argument that the error amounted to plain error.2 See United States v. Olano, 507 U.S. 725, 734 (1993) (noting that defendant has the burden of persuasion with regard to prejudice resulting from plain error).

Lastly, defendant contends that the district court improperly restricted testimony of his accomplice on cross-examination regarding the accomplice's understanding of his plea agreement with the government. This argument has no merit. Despite the district court's ruling restricting testimony which conflicted with Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(e),3 defendant's accomplice was allowed to testify fully as to the benefits of his plea bargain with the government. Therefore the district court's ruling did not result in undue prejudice to defendant.

The judgment of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma is AFFIRMED.

Entered for the Court

Robert H. Henry

Circuit Judge