Opinion ID: 516469
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Prosecution Withheld Mitigation Evidence

Text: 18 Mercer contends that the prosecution withheld evidence that the victim had engaged in the illegal use and sale of drugs. He argues that this evidence could prove that her death was caused by drugs or, in the alternative, by John Campbell with whom she associated due to her involvement with drugs. This argument cannot succeed. As the district court observed, the cause of death was disputed at trial. Mercer claimed that the medical report made on the victim's death was inconclusive and inconsistent. He further argued that John Campbell actually murdered the victim. Consequently, it cannot be urged that presentation of the evidence in question would have led to a theory or defense which had not been presented at trial. Moreover, while evidence that the victim used and distributed drugs might have supported these contentions, that support at best would have had minimal influence. The jury determined beyond a reasonable doubt that Mercer strangled the victim to death. Because there is ample evidence in the record to support the jury's finding, it would be unreasonable to conclude that presentation of the allegedly withheld evidence would have led to a different outcome.