Opinion ID: 505933
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Tucker's Statements

Text: 46 The district court relied on its authority to impose sanctions under Fed.R.Crim.P. 16 as an independent ground for suppressing Tucker's testimony in State v. Robinson. See Handley III, 644 F.Supp. at 1195. Not until August 6, 1986, did the Government arrange to transfer a copy of this testimony to Tucker's counsel. The Government actually produced this material on August 20, 1986, five days before Tucker's trial was scheduled to begin. Id. at 1192. The Government explains that it neglected to produce the testimony earlier because its attention was turned from Tucker's case during the extensive appellate process in these six cases. Appellant's Brief at 70. 47 Although the Government's late production violates Rule 16, any prejudice to Tucker could have been allayed by granting a continuance. As this Court has stated, The presence of a clear violation of a discovery order does not excuse a trial judge from weighing the factors cited above and imposing the least severe, but effective, sanction. Euceda-Hernandez, 768 F.2d at 1312. The district court failed to do this. Suppression of the evidence was not the least severe method of ensuring that the Government complies with discovery orders. A continuance would have allowed the defendant additional time to incorporate the testimony into his case so as to attempt to alleviate any prejudice. This Court has emphasized that the purpose of Rule 16 is to promote the fair administration of justice, but suppressing the evidence, rather than granting a continuance, works against that goal. Id. In addition, the transcript of Tucker's testimony was a public document which was equally available to the Government and the defendant. In cases involving Brady material, this Court has held that the Government does not violate Rule 16 if it fails to provide the defendant with discovery material that the defendant could have obtained as easily as the Government. See United States v. McMahon, 715 F.2d 498, 501 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 1001, 104 S.Ct. 507, 78 L.Ed.2d 697 (1983). Consequently, the district court abused its discretion in suppressing Tucker's testimony. Had the district judge weighed the factors deemed important in Euceda-Hernandez, he would not have suppressed the statements. 21