Opinion ID: 423575
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Evidence relating to the quantity of marijuana.

Text: 17 Doty's second assignment of error concerns the district court's consideration, over objection, of evidence pertaining to the number of marijuana plants discovered during the search and their approximate weight and value. This evidence was included in the proffered testimony of two officers who assisted in the search, and was apparently considered by the court both in determining guilt and in imposing sentence. 18 The gravamen of Doty's argument is that because nearly all the marijuana was burned at the time of the search, he was deprived of any opportunity to inspect the plants, and as a result could not verify the proffered testimony concerning their quantity and estimated value. Destruction of the plants in this manner, he contends, denied him due process of law, because the government has in effect suppressed evidence potentially favorable to the defense concerning the amount of marijuana discovered during the search. 19 The government's failure to preserve discoverable evidence may, in some circumstances, result in the denial of a defendant's right to due process of law. See, e.g., United States v. Bryant, 439 F.2d 642 (D.C.Cir.1971). In determining whether the loss or destruction of evidence has deprived a defendant of a fair trial, courts have engaged in a case-by-case assessment of the government's culpability for the loss, together with a realistic appraisal of its significance when viewed in light of its nature, its bearing upon critical issues in the case and the strength of the government's untainted proof. United States v. Grammatikos, 633 F.2d 1013, 1019-20 (2d Cir.1980); accord United States v. Baca, 687 F.2d 1356, 1359 (10th Cir.1982); see United States v. Traylor, 656 F.2d 1326, 1334-35 (9th Cir.1981); United States v. Picariello, 568 F.2d 222, 227 (1st Cir.1978); Bryant, 439 F.2d at 653. Applying this balancing approach in the present case, we conclude Doty's due process rights were not violated. 20 Initially, Doty has made no showing of culpability on the part of the federal government for the destruction of this evidence. The marijuana was burned by state officers immediately following execution of the state-issued search warrant, and there is nothing in the record to indicate that the plants were destroyed at the direction of federal officers. Where responsibility for the loss or destruction of evidence lies primarily with state authorities, courts have been reluctant to impose sanctions for its nonproduction by the federal government. See Baca, 687 F.2d at 1360; Traylor, 656 F.2d at 1335; United States v. Johnston, 543 F.2d 55, 57 (8th Cir.1976). Moreover, although the plants were not destroyed pursuant to court order, see Mo.Ann.Stat. § 195.140(1)(1) (Vernon 1983), in the circumstances of this case we are not convinced the officers acted in bad faith in burning the marijuana at the scene. Given the infeasibility of retaining such a large quantity of marijuana for any length of time, as well as the fact that samples were taken for testing and proof of the plants' status as contraband, we are unwilling to attribute any bad faith to the officers' action. 21 More importantly, the unavailability of the plants was not a critical factor in the outcome of this case. It is conceded that the plant samples taken during the search were marijuana, and that they were removed from Doty's farm. Clearly, the potential prejudice accruing here is of a far lesser degree than that in other loss of evidence cases in which relief was denied. See, e.g., Baca, 687 F.2d at 1360-61; United States v. Arra, 630 F.2d 836, 849-50 (1st Cir.1980). Doty's claim concerns only the amount and estimated value of the plants, matters which are essentially collateral here. Further, defense counsel could have attempted to discount the proffered testimony through inquiry into the officers' training and experience as well as the circumstances surrounding the plants' destruction. See United States v. Henry, 487 F.2d 912, 912-13 (9th Cir.1973) (per curiam). Finally, there is no reason in this case to believe that inspection of the actual plants by Doty would have resulted in exculpatory evidence of any kind, nor is there anything in the record from which the credibility of the officers can legitimately be questioned. 22 After balancing the culpability of the government and the significance of the missing evidence in this case, we are satisfied that Doty was not denied a fair trial or sentencing due to the destruction of the marijuana. Consideration of the proffered evidence was not error. 23