Opinion ID: 771497
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Breach of Immunity Agreement [Martinez-Villa]

Text: 55 Martinez-Villa contends that the government breached the immunity agreement it reached with him governing the free talk session he had on August 11, 1998 with the government. Specifically, he claims that the government breached the agreement when it cross-examined him at the motions hearing held on December 1, 1998, and when it disclosed the existence of the free talk report without giving him prior notice. 56 Both of these claims are belied by the agreement itself, in particular paragraph 2, which provides: 57 (2) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs three, four and five herein, in the above-captioned case and in any prosecution that may be brought against your client by this office, the government will not offer as evidence in its case-in-chief, or in connection with any sentencing proceeding for the purpose of determining the appropriate sentence, any statements made by your client at the meeting. 58 SER 1 (emphasis added). At the motions hearing, the government used the information from the free talk to formulate questions for its cross-examination of Martinez-Villa. Such use did not violate paragraph two, as it was neither part of the government's case-in-chief nor in connection with sentencing. 59 Martinez-Villa argues, however, that the government's disclosure of the free talk without prior notice violated paragraph 5 of the agreement. That paragraph provides that: 60 . . . [I]f the government should ever conclude that your client has knowingly withheld information from the government or otherwise not been completely truthful and candid, the government may use against your client for any purpose (including sentencing) any statements made or other information provided by you or your client during the meeting. If the gov ernment so concludes, it will notify you before mak ing any use of such statements or other information . . . . 61 SER 2 (emphasis added). Paragraph 5, however, is most sensibly understood as an exception to the prohibitions enumerated in paragraph two if Martinez-Villa is not truthful and candid, not as an additional notice requirement applicable even when the agreement would otherwise allow government use of the free talk. Accordingly, considering the issue de novo, United States v. Dudden, 65 F.3d 1461, 1467 (9th Cir. 1995), we conclude that the government was not required under paragraph 5 to give Martinez-Villa notice that it intended to use his statements during the motions hearing. The district court did not err in determining that there was no violation of the immunity agreement.