Opinion ID: 1058852
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Motions to Produce Files

Text: In separate assignments of error, Juniper argues the trial court erred in refusing to compel the Commonwealth to produce its files from his prior criminal convictions and of unadjudicated bad acts that would be referenced in the penalty phase. He also claims an entitlement to the files related to a prior prosecution of Rueben for rape. On appeal, Juniper argues the prior criminal conviction and unadjudicated bad acts files should have been produced because to thoroughly investigate and to essentially reconstruct those 35 ... events was unduly burdensome, if not impossible. As to Rueben's files, Juniper's appellate argument is the files cannot be reasonably recreated ... and ... his constitutional rights were violated by the failure to compel the file. Neither argument was made to the trial court. At trial, Juniper made the same argument as the basis to grant both motions: Although the Defendant has an investigator available to him, the time to interview all the witnesses that would be essential to reconstructing the information contained in those files cannot [be] reasonably ascertained by the Defendant without extensive costs to the Commonwealth in the form of attorneys fees and/or investigator fees. This ground was reemphasized by defense counsel's oral argument that it would be more economical for the Commonwealth if they would provide us with the files rather than having [defense counsel or the court-appointed investigator] have to try to reconstruct each of those separate 35 events. In other words, Juniper's sole contention at trial for both motions is that granting the motions would save the Commonwealth money. [9] This is obviously not the argument Juniper makes on appeal; therefore, consideration of either assignment of error is barred under Rule 5:25. See Buck v. Commonwealth, 247 Va. 449, 452-53, 443 S.E.2d 414, 416 (1994). Furthermore, Juniper proffered no evidence or explanation as to any nexus between Rueben's rape conviction and any matter at issue in this case.