Opinion ID: 2166974
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Recanting Witness Issue

Text: Graham argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion for a new trial based upon the recantation of government witness Williams. Almost one year after the jury verdict in his case, Graham moved for a new trial based on the one-page affidavit of Williams. Williams maintained that he was coerced by the government and that his testimony against Graham was not true. He stated in pertinent part: The evidence alluded [sic] during the course of the trial was not the factual events that transpired, but something that was orchestrated by the Government and rehearsed by me to aver to during the trial. I was compelled to commit perjury as a result of these fears for my life and the well being of my children. My testimony of Mr. Graham stabbing William Thomas in the chest and my being an eyewitness to these events were not true. I never saw these events, but, however, I was colluded [sic] into saying that I had seen the scenario because, I was also being charged with this crime. I sought to save myself only. The government opposed Graham's motion for a new trial, stating, inter alia, that the recantation contained conclusory assertions and was unbelievable, and further, that even if the recantation were believed, it would not result in Graham's acquittal. Based upon the motion before it and the government's opposition, the trial court denied the request for a new trial for the reasons stated by the government. Absent a clear showing of abuse of discretion, decisions of the trial court regarding the denial of a new trial will not be disturbed on appeal. Smith v. United States, 466 A.2d 429, 432 (D.C.1983) (citing United States v. Johnson, 327 U.S. 106, 111-12, 66 S.Ct. 464, 466-67, 90 L.Ed. 562 (1946) (other citations omitted)). In Heard v. United States, 245 A.2d 125 (D.C.1968), we adopted a five-prong test for determining whether the appellant sustained his or her burden regarding a motion for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence: (1) the evidence must have been discovered since the trial; (2) the party seeking the new trial must show diligence in the attempt to procure the newly discovered evidence; (3) the evidence relied on must not be merely cumulative or impeaching; (4) it must be material to the issues involved; and (5) of such nature that in a new trial it would probably produce an acquittal. 245 A.2d at 126 (citing Thompson v. United States, 88 U.S.App. D.C. 235, 236, 188 F.2d 652, 653 (1951)). Generally, a hearing is not required for a motion on a new trial. [7] Geddie v. United States, 663 A.2d 531, 534 (D.C. 1995). In deciding whether the interest of justice requires a new trial, the trial court considers the ruling from the perspective of a `thirteenth juror' [to] determine whether `a fair trial requires that the [claim presented in the motion for a new trial] be made available to the jury.' Id. at 533 (citations omitted). We review the trial court's ruling on the motion for an abuse of discretion. Id. We will sustain the denial of the new trial motion if it is `reasonable and supported by evidence in the record.' Id. (quoting Town-send v. United States, 549 A.2d 724, 726 (D.C.1988), cert. denied, 490 U.S. 1102, 109 S.Ct. 2457, 104 L.Ed.2d 1011 (1989)). We find it necessary to consider only the fifth prong of the Heard test, whether the presentation of the newly discovered evidence in a new trial would probably produce an acquittal. [8] Based on the evidence presented at trial, Graham could have been convicted either as a principal or as an aider and abettor. In light of the questions raised to the trial court during its deliberations, the jury apparently convicted Williams as an aider and abettor. [9] The evidence presented at Graham's trial, excluding that presented by Williams, was sufficient to sustain Graham's conviction as an aider and abettor. Three inmates, Juan Butler, Jimmy McGowan and Barry Campbell, gave testimony which demonstrated Graham's participation in William Thomas' murder. McGowan saw Graham and the decedent swing at each other at the time of the murder. He also heard Christopher Thomas call to Graham right after the murder and saw him throw a knife up to Graham. Campbell heard someone call the name Dominick and say: get rid of this as he watched a man on the second tier bend down. Butler saw the decedent and Graham together just before the murder, watched as Graham proceeded to the second tier after the murder, and thought he heard Christopher Thomas tell Graham to put this in my room as he threw an object up to Graham. The testimony of these men did not merely place Graham at the scene of the murder. It also established Graham's role as at least a facilitator of the crime and as a person who aided Christopher Thomas by concealing the shank or homemade knife used to stab the decedent. Consequently, we conclude that Graham has failed to demonstrate that the trial court clearly abused its discretion in denying his motion for a new trial based on the recanting affidavit of Williams.