Opinion ID: 161910
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Alleged False Testimony by Government Witness

Text: 17 The Caballeros next claim that the prosecutor knowingly sought and used perjured testimony from government witness Jorge Avila. A prosecutor who knowingly presents false evidence violates due process, regardless of whether the evidence is relevant to substantive issues or to witness credibility only. Napue v. Illinois, 360 U.S. 264, 269 (1959). In order to establish a due process violation, the Caballeros must show that (1) Avila's testimony was in fact false, (2) the prosecution knew it to be false, and (3) the testimony was material. Because the Caballeros failed to make contemporaneous objections at the time of Avila's testimony, we review this particular claim of prosecutorial misconduct for plain error. United States v. Gonzalez-Montoya, 161 F.3d 643, 650 (10th Cir. 1998). 18 The Caballeros claim that during direct examination, the prosecutor elicited a duplicitous explanation of Avila's earlier firearm convictions. Mr. Avila claimed that firearms were necessary for protection in his legitimate jewelry business. On cross-examination, Mr. Avila admitted that in one instance, he possessed not only the firearm, but also a silencer, and explained that he used this device to shoot neighborhood cats without disturbing the neighbors. Avila then also admitted that he had been charged, though not convicted, of possession of cocaine at this same time. 19 The Caballeros offer no evidence that Avila's testimony, either on direct or cross-examination, was false. Avila's remarks about the silencer and the cocaine charge are not inconsistent with, let alone contradict, his testimony on direct examination. The Caballeros also fail to show the prosecutor knew that Avila's testimony was false. Even postulating tension between Avila's responses on direct and cross, such inconsistency alone does not establish the knowing use of perjured testimony. Tapia v. Tansy, 926 F.2d 1554, 1563 (10th Cir. 1991). Because of the absolute lack of evidence to show either the falsity of Avila's testimony or the prosecutor's knowledge of false testimony, we need not examine the third factor the materiality of the perjured testimony. We note, however, that Avila's cross-examination testimony regarding the silencer and the cocaine charge likely renders immaterial the omission of the same facts on direct examination. United States v. Langston, 970 F.2d 692, 700-01 (10th Cir. 1992). The Caballeros have not shown that admission of Avila's testimony amounted to plain error. 20