Opinion ID: 1041847
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Manipulation-of-Evidence Claims

Text: Burton argues that the defendants recklessly or intentionally manipulated exculpatory evidence, in violation of his Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial, his Fourteenth Amendment right to substantive due process, and 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Specifically, Burton contends that the defendants withheld the statements of witnesses Coleman and Williams that Burton was not the shooter by failing to include them in the police report. Furthermore, he contends that the defendants recklessly or -6- intentionally manipulated the testimony of key witnesses Walker and Simmons and withheld evidence of that manipulation. Finally, Burton argues that Detective Hobbs acted in bad faith by exclusively pursuing him as a suspect. The general test of whether executive action denying a liberty interest is egregious enough to violate due process is whether it shocks the conscience. Briscoe v. Cnty. of St. Louis, Mo., 690 F.3d 1004, 1011 (8th Cir. 2012) (quoting Wilson v. Lawrence Cnty., 260 F.3d 946, 956 (8th Cir. 2001)). [A]n investigating officer's failure to preserve evidence potentially useful to the accused or their failure to disclose such evidence does not constitute a denial of due process in the absence of bad faith. Villasana v. Wilhoit, 368 F.3d 976, 980 (8th Cir. 2004). [T]he recovery of § 1983 damages requires proof that a law enforcement officer other than the prosecutor intended to deprive the defendant of a fair trial. Id. Consequently, to be viable, [the defendant's] claim must allege bad faith to implicate a clearly established right under Brady. White, 519 F.3d at 814 (second alteration in original). Burton first argues that the defendants withheld exculpatory evidence provided by Coleman. Coleman was at the scene during the shooting, but he did not witness it. During Burton's state habeas proceeding, Coleman testified that, as he was getting into his car to leave, he saw a man with a medium complexion walk past him just before the shooting—and that man was not Burton. Additionally, Coleman testified in response to questioning as follows: Q. Did you hear the gunshots as you turned your key in the ignition? A. Yes,[] ma'am. Q. And when you heard those shots, what did you do at that moment? A. Put the car in drive and ducked down and pulled off. -7- Q. Did you look around you? A. No, I wasn't even trying. I was trying to get off the lot.