context: Evidence introduced at trial established that the appellants were members of the Aryan Nations organization, sometimes referred to as "Aryan Warriors." Because the term "Aryan Warrior" was relevant to background material, and referred to in testimony and other evidence presented to the jury, it was not improper for the prosecutor to mention it when questioning Nelson.
citation_a.signal: cf.
citation_a.parenthetical: the first amendment prevents employing evidence of a defendant's abstract beliefs at a sentencing hearing when those beliefs have no bearing on the issue being tried
citation_a.sentence: See United States v. Marques, 600 F.2d 742, 749 (9th Cir.1979) (not misconduct for prosecutor to mention connection between defendant and Hell’s Angels because evidence showed defendant stated he sold drugs to them), cert. denied, 444 U.S. 1019, 100 S.Ct. 674, 62 L.Ed.2d 649 (1980); United States v. Cutler, 806 F.2d 933, 936 (9th Cir.1986); cf. Dawson v. Delaware, — U.S. —, —, 112 S.Ct. 1093, 1099, 117 L.Ed.2d 309 (1992) (the first amendment prevents employing evidence of a defendant’s abstract beliefs at a sentencing hearing when those beliefs have no bearing on the issue being tried).
citation_b.signal: see
citation_b.parenthetical: not misconduct for prosecutor to mention connection between defendant and Hell's Angels because evidence showed defendant stated he sold drugs to them
citation_b.sentence: See United States v. Marques, 600 F.2d 742, 749 (9th Cir.1979) (not misconduct for prosecutor to mention connection between defendant and Hell’s Angels because evidence showed defendant stated he sold drugs to them), cert. denied, 444 U.S. 1019, 100 S.Ct. 674, 62 L.Ed.2d 649 (1980); United States v. Cutler, 806 F.2d 933, 936 (9th Cir.1986); cf. Dawson v. Delaware, — U.S. —, —, 112 S.Ct. 1093, 1099, 117 L.Ed.2d 309 (1992) (the first amendment prevents employing evidence of a defendant’s abstract beliefs at a sentencing hearing when those beliefs have no bearing on the issue being tried).