Opinion ID: 508470
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Use of perjured testimony and due process.

Text: 40 Baker also contends that he was denied due process because the prosecutor knowingly used perjured testimony and then argued from the perjured testimony in closing arguments. Baker contends that the record shows that Hanson told the police that both he and Lee participated in planning the robbery. Yet, both testified that they were not involved. Further, Baker argues that the record shows that the district attorney knew that the testimony of each witness contradicted statements in the police reports, that the prosecutor vouched for the informant's truthfulness and argued each man's denial of involvement to the jury as evidence of Baker's guilt. 41 Intentional use of perjured testimony invalidates a defendant's conviction. See Napue v. Illinois, 360 U.S. 264, 79 S.Ct. 1173, 3 L.Ed.2d 1217 (1959). However, the record here at most shows only a prior inconsistent statement by Hanson. When he called the prosecutor as a witness in the collateral proceeding, Baker failed to ask the state prosecutor any questions regarding the use of perjured testimony. We cannot presume that the prosecutor knew that the prior statement was true, but used it anyway. Given Baker's failure to produce any evidence of knowing use of perjured testimony, we must reject his argument. 42