Opinion ID: 2460107
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Rekdal's Doubts and Opinions Recited in the Civil Deposition

Text: ¶ 38 The nondisclosure of Rekdal's doubts and opinions regarding Rennebohm does not constitute a Brady violation. The State did not suppress Rekdal's doubts and opinions. For purposes of Brady, there is no government suppression where the `defendant is aware of the essential facts enabling him to take advantage of any exculpatory evidence[;] the Government does not commit a Brady violation by not bringing the evidence to the attention of the defense.' Raley, 470 F.3d at 804 (quoting Brown, 582 F.2d at 200). By providing the defense pretrial opportunities to examine Rekdal, the State satisfied any Brady obligations with respect to the contents of his testimony. Brady does not require the prosecutor to prepare notes for the defense or to highlight a particular line of questioning that is promising for the defense theory of the case. ¶ 39 `[A]ny allegation of suppression boils down to an assessment of what the State knows at trial in comparison to the knowledge held by the defense.' Dupuy, 760 F.2d at 1501 n. 5 (quoting Giles v. Maryland, 386 U.S. 66, 96, 87 S.Ct. 793, 17 L.Ed.2d 737 (1967) (White, J., concurring)). Here, the State and the defense stood on equal footing. Both the State and the defense had the ability to question Rekdal before and during the criminal trial. There is no suppression by the State where the defense fails to ask questions that could elicit favorable responses. ¶ 40 A witness must testify truthfully. He is subject to his oath, the penalty of perjury, and the test of cross-examination. If a witness later recants or expresses misgivings regarding his trial testimony, the proper framework to analyze the significance of the witness' subsequent doubts is through a motion based on newly discovered evidencean analysis separate and distinct from the State's disclosure obligations under Brady. ¶ 41 Further, Rekdal's doubts and opinions are not material under Brady. Rekdal's later ambivalence regarding whether or not Rennebohm authorized the transactions of Mullen and Dean is not admissible evidence. First, the evidence is not exculpatory. The fact that Rekdal primarily relied on Rennebohm's assertions to conclude that Rennebohm did not authorize Mullen and Dean to convert company funds to their personal use does not negate their guilt. ¶ 42 Second, the defense could not have used the evidence to impeach Rekdal. Rekdal did not testify regarding authorization at the criminal trial. Rekdal testified that Frontier Ford accounts, within the control of Mullen and Dean, were involved in numerous transactions for nonbusiness purposes. Neither Mullen nor Dean denied this evidence. Rekdal did not testify with respect to whether Rennebohm authorized the transactions the primary defense relied on by the petitioners. Even if the defense possessed the deposition testimony of Rekdal, his testimony did not contradict his trial testimony. Impeachment by contradiction under ER 613 was not an available option. ¶ 43 Third, the defense could not have used Rekdal's deposition to impeach Rennebohm. ER 608(b) generally prohibits impeachment of a witness' credibility based on specific instances of conduct. The rule contains an exception for acts relating to truthfulness. However, even where the specific acts relate to truthfulness, ER 608(b) prohibits impeachment by extrinsic evidence. The defense could not have used Rekdal's deposition to impeach Rennebohm. [7] ¶ 44 Lastly, significant additional evidence supported the jury's finding of guilt. The defense attacked Rennebohm's credibility through Mullen's own testimony and a lengthy cross-examination of Rennebohm regarding allegedly dishonest financial dealings. Rennebohm's ex-wife even testified for the defense. The jury heard and ultimately discounted the defense's attacks on Rennebohm. The jury also heard evidence that Mullen admitted embezzling the funds on multiple occasions, that Rennebohm became visibly upset upon discovery of the theft, and that Rennebohm personally called the police asking them to investigate his company's financial records. Considering the totality of the evidence, there is not a reasonable probability that the jury would have believed the defense argument that Rennebohm authorized Mullen and Dean to spend $1.2 million for their personal use. The nondisclosure of Rekdal's doubts and opinions do not undermine our confidence in the outcome of the case, did not deprive petitioners of a fair trial, and did not violate Brady.