Opinion ID: 146818
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Brady violation and sufficiency of evidence.

Text: Having carefully examined the record on appeal, we agree with counsel’s assessment of the identified issues and find them to be without merit. As for the Brady violation, we agree with the district court that the information concerning Cobbs’ drug use was favorable to Martin and was suppressed by the government. We further agree, however, that, given the weight of the other evidence produced by the government and the fact that the jury had learned, by Cobbs’ own admission, of his occasional drug use, the suppressed information was not material. See United States v. Hughes, 33 F.3d 1248, 1251 (10th Cir. 1994) (requiring defendant alleging Brady violation to show prosecution (1) suppressed evidence (2) favorable to defendant (3) that was material). “‘[E]vidence is material only if there is a reasonable probability that, had the evidence been disclosed to the defense, the result of the proceeding would have been different. -4- A ‘reasonable probability’ is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.’” Hughes, 33 F.3d at 1251 (quoting United States v. Bagley, 473 U.S. 667, 682 (1985)) (alteration in original). Even without Cobbs’ testimony, the government produced evidence sufficient to sustain the jury’s verdict. Co-conspirator Eric Johnson testified that he and Cobbs had approached Martin, who eventually agreed to become part of the theft ring. Indeed, according to Johnson, it was Martin who suggested that the enterprise be expanded because the stolen product could be sold to restaurants and clubs in Arkansas and Mississippi. Johnson also testified that the numerous cell-phone calls between him and Martin during the relevant period were solely about product being taken out of the Tyson facility. In addition to Johnson, the government elicited testimony from the FBI agent assigned to the case who displayed spreadsheets documenting over a thousand cell-phone calls between Martin and his co-conspirators during the relevant time period. The agent also presented evidence of numerous Western Union money transfers between Martin and the others. We agree with the district court that even if the additional evidence of Cobbs’ cocaine use were disclosed to the defense and offered at trial, Martin still would have been convicted.