Opinion ID: 2541392
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The evidence was favorable

Text: The sharpened screwdriver evidence is favorable to Griffin because it tends to exculpate him from the crime and further impeaches the trial testimony of Curtis and Mozee. The evidence is exculpatory because it places inmate Smith in the prison yard with a weapon just minutes after the murder. A search of the inmates following the murder revealed that Smith was the only inmate in the prison found with a weapon in his possession. The evidence also further impeaches the testimony of Curtis and Mozee. At trial, inmate Leonard Rogers testified that the inmate who ran around the gymnasium immediately after the murder was definitely not Griffin. Although it is apparent that the jury did not believe Rogers, if Griffin could have introduced the evidence that Smith was found with a sharpened screwdriver and was trying to leave the prison yard immediately after the murder, the jury may have found Roger's testimony more credible. This is particularly true given the fact that Smith and Griffin were similar in height, weight and complexion. Because evidence that Smith possessed a sharpened screwdriver supports a viable alternative perpetrator defense, the evidence is favorable to Griffin.