Opinion ID: 1422820
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Discovery of Bryant's SCDC records

Text: Bryant argues that the trial court's failure to order the State to turn over SCDC documents after hearing Bryant's pre-guilt phase motion to compel denied Bryant a fair sentencing proceeding. Bryant also argues that the trial court's subsequent denial of a motion for continuance and a motion for a new trial, both based on the State's refusal to turn over the SCDC documents, denied Bryant a fair sentencing proceeding. We disagree. Under Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215 (1963), the State must disclose evidence that is favorable to the accused if the evidence is material to either guilt or punishment. Defendants making a claim under Brady must demonstrate that 1) the evidence was favorable to the defense; 2) it was in the possession of or known to the prosecution; 3) it was suppressed by the prosecution; and 4) it was material to guilt or punishment. Gibson v. State, 334 S.C. 515, 524, 514 S.E.2d 320, 324 (1999). Similarly, under Rule 5, SCRCrimP, criminal defendants are entitled to their statements, criminal records, and any documents or tangible objects material to the preparation of their defense or intended for use by the prosecution. Bryant sent a discovery request to the State requesting that his prison records be handed over as Brady and Rule 5 material. These records included: classification reports, behavioral reports, visitation reports, counseling records, work records, shakedown logs, cell inspection reports, and seminar records. The trial court addressed Bryant's Brady and Rule 5 requests a total of four times during the trialin a pre-guilt phase motion; in an in camera hearing during the sentencing phase; in a motion to compel at the close of the defense's argument in the sentencing phase; and in a motion for a new trial. Each of the four times Bryant raised the issue of the missing classes of documents supposedly accessible to SCDC and the State, the trial judge conducted a thorough examination into the nature of the requested documents, why the documents were necessary to Bryant's defense, and the State's reasons for not producing the documents. In the instant case, the trial court's findings and conclusions as to each class of documents are clearly supported by the record and function to negate one or more of the elements required to make a claim under Brady. Specifically, the trial court found that 1) the classification reports, behavioral reports, and counseling records had been handed over to Bryant by the State; 2) the absence of visitation reports, work records, cell inspection reports, and shakedown logs did not prejudice the defensea finding that the defense acknowledged to be true; and 3) the visitation reports, work records, shakedown logs, and cell inspection reports did not exist. Likewise, these findings negate the substantive requirements of Rule 5, SCRCrimP, which requires that the documents requested be material to the preparation of the defense. Moreover, Bryant's acknowledgment to the trial court that the absence of certain documents would not be prejudicial to the defense goes squarely against Bryant's contention in this appeal. If Bryant conceded that the court's ruling was not prejudicial, he may not later assert that ruling denied him a fair trial. See State v. Whipple, 324 S.C. 43, 51, 476 S.E.2d 683, 687 (1996) (by proceeding to trial after affirmatively stating the defense is ready, a defendant waived his right to complain he was given inadequate time to preview discovery materials). Bryant's claim is essentially grounded in the lastminute turnover of records by SCDC to Bryant's counsel the night before the trial. We note that this Court does not condone such behavior, and we emphasize the importance of conscientiously honoring the requirements of Brady and Rule 5, SCRCrimP. [2] However, the acquisition of requested documents at the last minute is not uncommon in the practice of law and, in this case, is not grounds for a new trial in light of the trial court's findings and the parties' stipulations with respect to the various documents. Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in ruling on Bryant's various Brady and Rule 5 motions.