Opinion ID: 714140
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Evidence of Ventura's Interest.

Text: 29 Figueroa next contends that a new trial is warranted based on newly discovered evidence of Ventura's interest and bias. Figueroa alleges that Ventura received consideration for his testimony that was never disclosed to the defense as required under section 3500 and Brady. According to Figueroa, this consideration was granted in the form of a great favor to one Pedro Taveras, who is Ventura's cousin. It appears undisputed that Taveras, an indicted co-defendant in this case, was released on bail and fled to the Dominican Republic. 5 Counsel for Figueroa recounted the following allegations in a May 1992 affidavit filed with the district court: that, after Ventura's arrest, Taveras acted as a translator when Ventura was interviewed by the government; that Ventura sought favorable treatment for himself and Taveras in exchange for saying anything; that Ventura assured Taveras that Taveras would get out of here; and that the government did not fight Taveras's release on $100,000 bail (secured by $5000). 30 Taveras's story, as recounted in the attorney's affidavit, relies on post hoc reasoning that is unsupported by a chronology of events. As the district court observed, Taveras's bail was set on November 15, 1988; yet Ventura was not indicted and did not first meet with prosecutors to discuss cooperation until November 22, 1988, and did not enter into a cooperation agreement with the government until April 17, 1989. Even assuming that the bond was set at an unusually low figure, as Figueroa asserts, Figueroa cannot establish a cause and effect relationship between Ventura's cooperation agreement and the setting of Taveras's bail five months earlier. 31 Moreover, such additional evidence of Ventura's interest, even if credible, would not warrant a new trial. For reasons stated above, a defendant who makes a Rule 33 motion must show a reasonable probability that, had the new evidence been disclosed, the jury would have arrived at a different result. Kyles, --- U.S. at ----, 115 S.Ct. at 1566. Additional impeachment evidence will not meet the standard expressed in Kyles if it merely furnishes an additional basis on which to impeach a witness whose credibility has already been shown to be questionable. Payne, 63 F.3d at 1210. Here, defense counsel attacked Ventura's credibility on cross-examination by offering abundant evidence of Ventura's interest and bias, including his written agreement with the government. Evidence concerning Ventura's interest in the bail arrangement for Taveras would therefore have been cumulative, and for that reason does not warrant a new trial. 32