Opinion ID: 1390030
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Criminalist William Baird

Text: Petitioner alleges the prosecution failed to provide material exculpatory evidence concerning criminalist Baird's misconduct concerning heroin. (Pet. at 44-45.) If Petitioner has adjudicated a claim relating to the withholding of evidence and false testimony previously, then his latest claim alleging the same transgression must be dismissed. 28 U.S.C. § 2244(b). The gravamen of the claim of withholding evidence and false testimony is the same, regardless of whether Petitioner presents new and different legal arguments or different factual allegations. See Babbitt, 177 F.3d at 746. Petitioner already adjudicated a claim relating to Mr. Baird's connection with heroin. Cooper I, Amend. Pet. at 387; Cooper I, 92-CV-427, Aug. 25, 1997 Order at 69-71. Even if Petitioner's claim were not subject to mandatory dismissal based on 28 U.S.C. § 2244(b)(1), his claim must still be dismissed because he could have presented the legal and factual basis of his pending claim previously with due diligence. 28 U.S.C. § 2244(b). Petitioner could have discovered, with due diligence, the additional information about Mr. Baird's alleged use of heroin, particularly since Petitioner had already focused on Mr. Baird's dismissal from his employment for allegedly stealing heroin. Moreover, to support his Brady claim, Petitioner must show that the prosecution had knowledge of material exculpatory evidence that was unknown to the defense. See Agurs, 427 U.S. at 103, 96 S.Ct. 2392. This Court has already determined in adjudicating Petitioner's first federal habeas petition that the prosecution did not have knowledge of Mr. Baird's alleged dismissal or misconduct while the trial was in progress. Cooper I, 92-CV-427, Aug. 25, 1997 Order at 70. Petitioner is not entitled to a second opportunity to litigate this factual question in this Court. 28 U.S.C. § 2244(b). Petitioner's Brady claim also fails to state a prima facie case because he has not established that Mr. Baird's alleged drug abuse constitutes material exculpatory evidence in the context of the entire record. See Agurs, 427 U.S. at 112, 96 S.Ct. 2392. Accordingly, the Court denies the habeas claim regarding Mr. Baird.