Opinion ID: 4554030
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The District Court Declares a Mistrial

Text: On December 20, 2017, the district court concluded that the trial could not proceed. It began by emphasizing that Brady requires the prosecution “to learn of material exculpatory and impeachment evidence in the possession of other agencies.” Where there is doubt about the usefulness of evidence to the defense, the government should “resolve such doubts in favor of full disclosure.” The court reviewed each piece of evidence—evidence regarding the surveillance camera, snipers, and threat assessments—contained in newly provided FBI 302s, the TOC Log, the prior threat assessments, and other documents. The court found that the government had failed to timely disclose most of the evidence at issue, and that the failure was “willful” on the government’s part and prejudiced the defense. As for possible remedies, the district court found that recalling witnesses or granting a continuance to allow the defendants time to review the new evidence would be insufficient. The parties had already impaneled a jury and made opening statements. The court believed that the withheld evidence had deprived the defendants of the opportunity to better tailor their voir-dire strategy and make stronger opening statements. Thus, the court concluded that mistrial was necessary. The court stopped short of dismissing UNITED STATES V. BUNDY 19 the case, instead asking for briefing on whether “mistrial should be with or without prejudice.”