Cite as: 505 U. S. 277 (1992)
Opinion of Thomas, J.
He explained that he had bought and sold "a lot of . . . merchandise" from "several guys" at "flea bargain places" where, according to West, "a lot of times you buy things . . . that are stolen" although "you never know it." App. 21. On cross-examination, West said that he had bought many of the stolen items from a Ronnie Elkins, whom West claimed to have known for years. West testified that he purchased one of the wood carvings, the jacket, mounted lobster, mirror, and bar from Elkins for about $500. West initially guessed, and then twice positively asserted, that this sale occurred before January 1, 1979. In addition, West claimed to have purchased the coat from Elkins for $5 around January 1, 1979. His testimony did not make clear whether he was describing one transaction or two, whether there were any other transactions between himself and Elkins, where the transactions occurred, and whether the transactions occurred at flea markets.1 West testified further that he had purchased one of
1 The quality of West's testimony on these matters can best be appreciated by example:
"Q Are those items that you bought at a flea market? "A Well, I didn't buy these items at a flea market, no sir. "Q Whose items are they? "A They are some items that I got from a Ronnie Elkins. "Q All of the items you bought from him? "A I can't say all. "Q Which ones did you buy from him? "A I can't say, because I don't have an inventory. "Q Can you tell me the ones you bought from Ronnie Elkins? "A Yes, I am sure I can. "Q Which ones? "A I would say the platter. "Q How about the sea shell mirror? "A Yes, sir, I think so. "Q Where did you buy that? "A In Newport News at a flea market." App. 21-22. "Q I want to know about your business transactions with Ronnie Elkins.
[Footnote 1 is continued on p. 282]
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