Opinion ID: 2982626
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Additional Witnesses.

Text: In motions for writs of habeas corpus ad testificandum before his trial, Gravley sought to compel the presence of several fellow inmates, among them Otis Smith, Matthew Davis, and Andre Bruno, to testify that they did not hear Peterson scream Gravley’s name. He also expected Bruno to testify that there was no animus between the Bloods and the Washington, D.C.- affiliated gang to which Peterson allegedly had belonged. Additionally, all of the witnesses were to “testify that they were never asked by staff to take Peterson as a cell-mate.” A federal - 13 - Case No. 11-6123 United States v. Gravley magistrate judge denied the motions, concluding that although the proposed testimony “might be relevant to [Gravley’s] case,” Gravley had not demonstrated that the witnesses were “necessary for an adequate defense” as required by Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure (Criminal Rule) 17(b). The District Court upheld the denial in ruling on Gravley’s subsequent motion for reconsideration and also denied Gravley’s renewed motion for the writs at trial.