Opinion ID: 720571
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: the government's duty to disclose under brady

Text: 33 In order to establish a due process violation under Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215 (1963), the defendant bears the burden of proving that (1) evidence was suppressed by the prosecution; (2) the evidence was favorable to the defense; and (3) the evidence was material either to guilt or to punishment. Brady, 373 U.S. at 87, 83 S.Ct. at 1196-97. Evidence is material only if there is a reasonable probability that, had the evidence been disclosed to the defense, the result of the proceeding would have been different. A 'reasonable probability' is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome. United States v. Bagley, 473 U.S. 667, 682, 105 S.Ct. 3375, 3383, 87 L.Ed.2d 481 (1985). 34 One group of information Aubin contends was suppressed is information regarding other loans with regard to which Aubin or companies he controlled were beneficiary or borrower. This is information about which Aubin should have known. Brady does not require the prosecution to conduct a defendant's investigation or to assist in the presentation of the defense's case. United States v. Marrero, 904 F.2d 251, 261 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 1000, 111 S.Ct. 561, 112 L.Ed.2d 567 (1990). The purpose of the Brady rule is to ensure that a miscarriage of justice does not occur, 'not to displace the adversary system as the primary means by which truth is uncovered.'  United States v. Johnson, 872 F.2d 612, 619 (5th Cir.1989) (quoting Bagley, 473 U.S. at 675, 105 S.Ct. at 3380). Aubin does not show that this information was not available to him through due diligence. 35 Aubin also contends that the Government suppressed allegations that Reese obtained a fraudulent appraisal to support the Western funding for the LBJ/Central transaction. However, by a letter dated May 5, 1994, prior to trial, the Government disclosed this allegation. 36 Aubin also contends that the government suppressed a report of the Texas Savings and Loan Department concerning Western Savings and Loan as of December 1984. Aubin is in possession of a copy of the report and Western's response. Although Aubin contends that the report shows that the Texas S & L Department knew of his involvement in the transaction, he does not support this contention with specific citation, and he does not show any likelihood that the result of the trial would have been different if he had been in possession of this report prior to trial. 37 Aubin also contends that the Government should have disclosed FBI 302 reports of interviews with witnesses. With regard to the only witness specifically cited by Aubin, Mr. Henry, the district court reviewed the FBI interview and indicated that it was completely consistent with Henry's testimony. Therefore, it could not have been helpful for impeachment as defendant claims. Aubin has not provided any reason to believe that any 302 reports might contain favorable or material information. 38 Aubin also contends that the government should have disclosed materials in possession of the Resolution Trust Corporation supporting a letter from the RTC dated August 31, 1994, concerning the amount of restitution defendant should be ordered to pay. The letter states, among other things, that [t]he loan arrangements were designed to deceive Western in order to obtain funds for the use of Aubin and his co-conspirators. Contrary to Aubin's contention, this letter does not reflect any underlying exculpatory information. 39 Aubin contends that the government also suppressed evidence that would have significantly impeached Reese and Woods. The record is filled with evidence that would have impeached Reese and Woods. Evidence of their participation in the scheme in question and their involvement in other criminal and fraudulent activities was presented to the jury. Other impeachment evidence, if indeed there was any, would have been merely cumulative. Thus, Aubin has not met his burden of showing that the government suppressed any material evidence in violation of Brady.