Opinion ID: 884679
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Is Belgarde entitled to a new trial due to the State's alleged failure to disclose a document contained in the court record?

Text: ¶ 31 On appeal, Belgarde argues that he is entitled to a new trial based on newly discovered evidence and that prior to this new trial, the District Court should hold a hearing to determine an appropriate sanction under § 46-15-329, MCA, for the State's alleged discovery violation. Belgarde asserts that the State failed to disclose Officer Tuttle's affidavit of probable cause and his arrest report attached as an exhibit thereto, both signed by Officer Tuttle on May 29, 1995, and contained within the Justice and District Court record. Belgarde contends that these documents contain critical evidence on the issue of whether sobriety tests were administered to him. ¶ 32 We agree with the State that Belgarde is not entitled to a new trial. In State v. Gollehon (1995), 274 Mont. 116, 906 P.2d 697, we explained that under § 46-16-702(2), MCA, a motion for new trial must be filed within 30 days following a verdict or finding of guilty and that no statutory extensions of time are provided. Gollehon, 274 Mont. at 118, 906 P.2d at 699. Here, Belgarde's guilty verdict was entered on January 31, 1996. On May 14, 1996, 104 days after entry of the jury verdict, Belgarde filed a motion with this Court to stay appeal and remand to the District Court for further proceedings; however, he failed to file a motion for a new trial with the District Court itself. We subsequently denied his motion on June 11, 1996. ¶ 33 Notwithstanding that his case was on appeal, Belgarde could have timely filed a motion for a new trial in the District Court, the predicate for his relief, in addition to filing a motion to stay appellate proceedings with this Court. However, Belgarde only filed a motion to stay his appeal and to remand to the District Court for further proceedings104 days after the jury verdict was entered. This clearly was untimely as well as procedurally incorrect. Furthermore, neither judicially created exception to the 30-day filing requirement enunciated in State v. Barrack (1994), 267 Mont. 154, 882 P.2d 1028, and State v. Perry (1988), 232 Mont. 455, 758 P.2d 268, applies in this case. Moreover, the critical evidence which Belgarde asserts he just now discovered has been filed in the Justice Court and District Court record throughout the proceedings. Therefore, this is not a situation where the State suppressed evidence or failed to disclose evidence. Rather, Belgarde simply failed to look through the public record. ¶ 34 We hold that Belgarde's motion for a new trial is time-barred. Furthermore, because the State has not made any discovery violations, Belgarde's request that we remand this case to the District Court for a hearing to determine appropriate sanctions under § 46-15-329, MCA, is also denied. ¶ 35 Affirmed. TURNAGE, C.J., and HUNT, TRIEWEILER and LEAPHART, JJ., concur.