Opinion ID: 883619
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: What information should have been provided?

Text: Appellant first claims that the State failed to produce an allegation made by Diane Bull Coming that she was raped by a jailer while in custody for charges related to this case. Bull Coming agreed to a plea bargain with the State prior to Appellant's trial and testified for the State in Appellant's trial. Appellant argues that Bull Coming's rape allegation could have been used to impeach her by showing witness tampering or intimidation, by showing her lack of credibility if the accusations were false, or by attacking her credibility in reference to her plea agreement. The State argues that it is questionable whether this information would have been admissible at trial and argues that Appellant still fails to meet the materiality requirement if the information is considered. The State concedes that evidence tending to show witness bias may be admissible. This information should have been furnished to the Appellant pursuant to Brady and Bagley. Thus, we will consider it in our discussion of materiality.
Appellant contends that he should have been provided with records of Bull Coming's prior convictions for misdemeanor assault, misdemeanor theft, and other misdemeanors. The State argues that this information does not meet the materiality requirement. This information should have been furnished to the Appellant pursuant to Brady and Bagley. We will consider it in our discussion of materiality.
Appellant argues that the State should have discovered and provided him with information regarding Bull Coming's past physical altercations. However, there has been no indication that the State possessed such information and insufficient evidence that the State could or should have obtained this information through a reasonably diligent investigation. We will not consider this information in our discussion of materiality.
Next, Appellant contends that the State failed to provide him with autopsy photographs of Etchemendy showing his genital area. Appellant argues that this evidence would be important to support a defense theory that Bull Coming had castrated Etchemendy. Appellant also contends that it was Brady error for the State to fail to explain what institicial edema, a term used in the autopsy report, means. Appellant's argument fails since the autopsy report disclosed that Etchemendy had normal genitalia. The autopsy report stated that on microscopic examination, Etchemendy had institicial edema or a swelling in the tubules of the testes. This swelling would be consistent with an injury to the groin sustained during a fight or a beating, such as the fight between Appellant and Etchemendy and the beatings administered by Appellant and his brother. An explanation of institicial edema would not have been exculpatory. A photograph of Etchemendy's genital area would not have been exculpatory nor would it have been useful for impeachment purposes (a photograph would not have shown swelling detected only upon microscopic examination). We will not consider this information in our discussion of materiality.
Appellant argues that the State's introduction of a metal pipe into evidence falls under a Brady claim because the pipe should not have been introduced and if it had not, then the lack of the pipe would have been exculpatory. Appellant's argument is not properly raised in a Brady context. Appellant makes no contention that the State failed to inform him that the pipe would be introduced into evidence. We will not consider this argument in our discussion of materiality.
Quiroz, another individual charged in connection with this case, testified that she had seen a bottle of Jack Daniels with blood on it. Appellant claims that the State violated Brady by failing to introduce this bottle because Bull Coming drank Jack Daniels. We find this argument unpersuasive as there is no indication that the State ever found or had possession of this bottle despite an extensive search for evidence. We will not consider this argument in our discussion of materiality.
Appellant contends that the State knowingly relied on, and emphasized, what he characterizes as Bull Coming's perjured testimony. This argument is not properly raised in the Brady context since, prior to trial, Appellant had access to Bull Coming's statements regarding the crime. We will not consider this argument in our discussion of materiality.