Opinion ID: 71367
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Government Disclosures

Text: 11 Appellants next allege that the government's delayed disclosure of certain materials and failure to correct certain trial testimony necessitates reversal. Although we do not condone the prosecutor's actions, the trial court's actions in the instant case cured any alleged violation of the prosecutor's disclosure duties.
12 The most significant of appellants' claims stems from the fact that significant impeachment testimony against government witness Heredia was not disclosed until trial had begun, and that the berth request form was not disclosed until it was sought to be introduced. 12 On the seventh day of trial, the prosecution turned over to the defense a number of documents which contained information seriously inconsistent with Heredia's trial testimony. Appellants allege that this overdue disclosure was improper, in light of the prosecutor's disclosure duties under Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215 (1963). 13 Brady requires the government to produce for the defense impeachment evidence against government witnesses. Giglio v. United States, 405 U.S. 150, 92 S.Ct. 763, 31 L.Ed.2d 104 (1972); United States v. Bagley, 473 U.S. 667, 105 S.Ct. 3375, 87 L.Ed.2d 481 (1985). Delayed disclosure may be grounds for reversal, but only if the defendant can show prejudice, e.g., the material came so late that it could not be effectively used. United States v. Beale, 921 F.2d 1412, 1426 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 829, 112 S.Ct. 100, 116 L.Ed.2d 71 (1991). In this case, however, such prejudice was averted because the trial court recessed for the remainder of the day and allowed additional cross-examination of Heredia the next morning. Appellants' attorneys fully explored the extent of Heredia's prior inconsistent testimony at that time. We hold that, as a result of the trial court's remedial measures, appellants were not prejudiced by the late disclosure. 14 Second, appellants claim that the late disclosure of the berth request was a violation of both Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 16 and the court's standing discovery order. Assuming a violation, 13 we hold that no reversible error occurred because appellants have shown no prejudice from the delay. 15 Late disclosure of evidence required to be turned over under Rule 16 or a standing discovery order necessitates reversal only if it violates a defendant's substantial rights. United States v. Camargo-Vergara, 57 F.3d 993, 998 (11th Cir.1995). Substantial prejudice results if a defendant is unduly surprised and lacks an adequate opportunity to prepare a defense. Id. Here, the defendants suffered no such prejudice because there was significant other evidence introduced at trial substantiating the government's contention that appellants imported cocaine from Columbia to the Port of Miami aboard the ship Lontue. Accordingly, their ability to defend against the importation charge was not compromised by the admission of the berth request. See United States v. Accetturo, 966 F.2d 631, 636 (11th Cir.1992), cert. denied, 506 U.S. 1082, 113 S.Ct. 1053, 122 L.Ed.2d 360 (1993).
16 Appellants claim that Heredia made several false statements in the course of his testimony that the government failed to correct. They correctly cite Napue v. Illinois, 360 U.S. 264, 79 S.Ct. 1173, 3 L.Ed.2d 1217 (1959), for the proposition that the prosecutor must correct known falsehoods. Although the record is unclear regarding whether the government indeed violated Napue, 14 we hold that reversal is inappropriate on these facts. Reversible error occurs only if a failure to correct results in material prejudice such that there is any reasonable likelihood that the false testimony would affect the jury's judgment. United States v. Alzate, 47 F.3d 1103, 1110 (11th Cir.1995). Defense counsel fully explored every inconsistency alleged by the appellants when the trial judge re-opened cross-examination. We hold, therefore, that the jury's judgment would not have been affected. 17