Opinion ID: 1193639
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Government's Disclosure of Evidence

Text: Appellant alleges that the prosecutor improperly withheld exculpatory evidence in violation of Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215 (1963), and that the district court erred in failing to find prosecutorial misconduct and impose sanctions on the prosecutor for failing to disclose evidence. The standard of review for alleged violations of Brady is whether there is a reasonable probability that, had the evidence been disclosed to the defense, the result of the proceeding would have been different. United States v. Bagley, 473 U.S. 667, 682, 105 S.Ct. 3375, 87 L.Ed.2d 481 (1985). Appellant claims that the prosecutor committed misconduct by failing to disclose evidence regarding: (1) C.B.'s statement that Appellant possessed a firearm; and (2) Appellant's work with the federal authorities, both in El Paso and Minnesota. The district court did not use C.B.'s testimony as a basis for either an increased offense level or an upward sentencing departure when determining Appellant's sentence. Further, the effect, if any, of the testimony on Appellant's request for additional downward departures is irrelevant due to the statutory minimum. Therefore, Appellant cannot show that, had the firearm evidence been disclosed at an earlier juncture, the result of the proceeding would have been different, and his claim fails. Similarly, Appellant fails to demonstrate that, had he received the sought-after documentation relating to his activities with the F.B.I., the result of his sentencing hearing would have been different. Both Appellant and Agent Schneider testified about Appellant's history with the El Paso F.B.I., and D.E.A. Agent Erick Smith testified as to E.V.'s activities subsequent to his arrest. The sentencing court considered E.V.'s assistance to the authorities, and granted a twenty-three percent departure from the otherwise applicable minimum sixty-month sentence. E.V. has failed to identify any evidence which, if disclosed, would have resulted in a different outcome. Accordingly, Appellant's Brady claim fails. The judgment is accordingly affirmed.