Opinion ID: 2649691
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Disclosure of FBI “Source Files”

Text: ¶40 Months before trial, Forde moved for disclosure of all FBI “source files” regarding R.W. and R.C., attendees at the Colorado minuteman meeting, including files unrelated to this case. The trial court denied Forde’s motion, finding that the information was not within the State’s control and directing Forde to make her request to the FBI. When the trial began, the State received previously requested FBI source files regarding this case and promptly disclosed them to the defense. ¶41 Forde argues that the trial court violated her rights to due process, to present a defense, and to confront witnesses by denying her motion. She contends that disclosure was required by Arizona Rule of Criminal Procedure 15.1 and Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963). But neither Rule 15.1 nor Brady requires the state to disclose evidence outside its possession or control. See Ariz. R. Crim. P. 15.1(b) (requiring the state to disclose material “within the prosecutor’s possession or control”); State v. Briggs, 112 Ariz. 379, 383, 542 P.2d 804, 808 (1975) (“The prosecutor cannot be deemed to have concealed information relating to the guilt or innocence of the accused, or punishment if he does not procure materials in the custody of the FBI, an agency which is not under the control of the prosecutor.”).