Opinion ID: 2350242
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Newly Discovered Exculpatory Evidence.

Text: Brooks claims the trial judge erred in ruling that the hearsay testimony of a fellow inmate (Mack) at the D.C. Jail would not have been admissible at Brooks' trial as a statement against penal interest, Laumer v. United States, 409 A.2d 190, 199 (D.C.1979) (en banc); see also FED.R. EVID. 804(b)(3), and that the evidence was not of such a nature that an acquittal would likely result from its use. Smith v. United States, 466 A.2d 429, 432-33 (D.C. 1983); Wright v. United States, 387 A.2d 582, 587 (D.C.1978). Mack, a former friend of Edmunson, claimed Edmunson had said he and his girlfriend had killed a woman named Candy (the victim's nickname) over money owed for cocaine by stabbing her with a pair of scissors, hitting her with a hammer, and choking her; Brooks was not mentioned as a participant. The trial judge's finding that Edmunson had not made the statement is not clearly erroneous, Laumer, supra, 409 A.2d at 203, and hence, no basis exists for any further inquiry. Id. at 199. The judge had the opportunity to assess Mack's demeanor and found that he was not credible because of his extensive record of serious crimes, the absence of corroborating witnesses to Edmunson's statement, and the strong motives for fellow inmates to fabricate evidence to help each other. See United States v. Alexander, 139 U.S.App.D.C. 163, 165, 430 F.2d 904, 906 (1970) (several inmates would not be allowed to testify that declarant had confessed while in prison). The judge noted that Mack's knowledge of certain details was easily explained by the opportunity to collude with Brooks, and that Mack had not come forward until he heard others discussing the crime. [8] To assure an adequate appellate record, the judge further ruled that, even if the evidence had been admissible, Brooks would not have been entitled to a new trial because the evidence would not likely have produced an acquittal. See Smith, supra, 466 A.2d at 432-33. The judge's resolution of this mixed question of fact and law was clearly correct. The jury would have been confronted with Mack's credibility problems. Alexander, supra, 139 U.S.App.D.C. at 165, 430 F.2d at 906. But even if they believed Mack, they would not have been likely to acquit Brooks. Edmunson's version of his role in the murder would likely have been viewed as a boast. Even if believed, it does not necessarily exonerate Brooks for his role in the murder, which was well chronicled by Gilliam's testimony.