Document: 516 U.S. 1116 S.Ct. 7133 L.Ed.2d 1 Tana WOOD, Superintendent, Washington State Penitentiaryv.Dwayne Earl BARTHOLOMEW. No. 94-1419. Supreme Court of the United States Oct. 10, 1995. PER CURIAM. The Appeals for Ninth Circuit reversed District Court's denial habeas relief based on its speculation that prosecution's failure to turn over results a polygraph examination key witness might have had an adverse effect pretrial preparation by defense. assumed, and parties do not dispute, were inadmissible under state law both substantive purposes as well impeachment. decision below is misapplication our Brady jurisprudence, see v. Maryland, 373 83, 83 1194, 10 215 (1963), we accordingly reverse judgment remand further proceedings. 2 * On August 1, 1981, respondent Dwayne Bartholomew robbed laundromat in Tacoma, Washington. In course robbery, attendant was shot killed. Two shots fired: one hit head, second lodged counter near victim's body. From beginning, admitted he committed robbery came from his gun. 3 only issue at trial whether guilty aggravated first-degree murder, which requires proof premeditation; or (felony) does not. Respondent's defense gun, single action revolver (one must be cocked manually before each shot), discharged accident—twice. 4 addition physical evidence concerning operation consisted testimony respondent's brother, Rodney Bartholomew, Rodney's girlfriend, Tracy Dormady. Both testified day crime they gone question their laundry, sitting car parking lot when arrived. While waiting sat with brother car. told him intended rob "leave no witnesses." According testimony, left soon after conversation went Tracy's house. Respondent arrived house short time later, asked if killed said "he put two bullets kid's head." also she heard say leave witnesses. consistent statements police. 98 Wash.2d 173, 176-178, 654 P.2d 1170, 1173-1174 (1982). 5 own He threatening victim gun forcing lie down floor. said, however, while removing money cash drawer accidently fired, discharging bullet into head. claimed off running away. denied telling moreover, assisted convincing open laundromat's door it closed night, although committed. Ibid. closing argument sought discredit suggesting lying about extent participation crime. 34 F.3d 870, 872 (CA9 1994). 6 At sentencing phase (respondent sentenced death but sentence overturned appeal resentenced life imprisonment without possibility parole), first cellmate, Stanley Bell. Bell made floor, age, found out 17, replied "[t]oo bad," him. See supra, 178, P.2d, 1174. 7 Before trial, prosecution requested submit examinations. answers witnesses questions examiner trial. As part examination, helped commit ever handled murder apon. answered negative questions. testing these inconclusive, noted personal opinion her responses truthful. any together. responded questions, concluded indicated deception. Neither disclosed 8 After exhausting remedies, filed Western Washington, raising, inter alia, claim produce writ, concluding "fails . show withheld. information withheld possibly could led some admissible evidence. fails disclosure counsel would reasonable likelihood affecting verdict." App. Pet. Cert. B5 (emphasis original). 9 appeal, reversed. 870 (1994). polygraphic examinations are evidence, even impeachment purposes. id., 875 (citing Ellison, 36 Wash.App. 564, 676 531 (1984)). court nevertheless been material Brady. reasoned "[h]ad [respondent's] known results, stronger reason pursue investigation story;" "likely taken deposition" deposition "might succeeded obtaining admission crime" "would likely uncovered variety conflicting used quite effectively cross-examination trial." F.3d, 875-876. II If initial existed intentional misstatement, hesitate condemn misrepresentation strongest terms. But reiterated just last Term, "material" Brady, disclose justifies setting aside conviction, where there exists "reasonable probability" result different. Kyles Whitley, 514 ----, ---- - 115 1555, 1565-66, 131 490 (1995); Bagley, 473 667, 682, 105 3375, 3383-84, 87 481 (1985) (opinion Blackmun, J.); 685, S.Ct., 3385 (White, J., concurring judgment). To begin with, Appeals' assumption, law, purposes, absent stipulation parties, supra), contend otherwise. here, then—the witnesses—is "evidence" all. Disclosure then, direct outcome because mention them either during questioning get around this problem, information, defense, conduct additional discovery utilized. 875. Other than expressing belief confessed involvement stages crime—a confession itself way inconsistent guilt—the did specify what particular mind. Its mere speculation, violation standards established. 11 strategy damaging order downplay Id., 872. That involve deposing Rodney. It difficult see, basis prepared different manner, (more important) discovered unspecified merely that, pre-established 12 speculating undisclosed affected counsel's preparation, hence disagreed disregarded, view counsel. evidentiary hearing held Federal action, questioned importance results: 13 "Q: And you your was, I think, somewhat limited concern — 14 "A: my respect. Nobody tried limit me. opinion, lawyer, very dangerous me, wanted much recalling crystal words again. Leave prisoners. 15 Do think help doing specific regarding offense Mr. failed examination? Would perhaps shape him? 16 retrospect they're almost parallel. contribution implication offense, holdup, Bartholomew. believe gloves, so wouldn't it. liked it, Ford, don't case." Tr. 55-56. 17 Trial strategic undermines suggestion chosen depose disclosed. greater candid acknowledgement scope cross-examination. assessment borne best possible proof: far permit counsel, armed examinations, oath. Even though permitted refer themselves—reference permissible retrial—counsel obtained contradictions admissions 84-87. 18 short, "reasonably likely" results—inadmissible —would resulted case against overwhelming. acquit jury accidently, once twice, tragic coincidence depositing back execution-style, lay face testimony—to nothing introduce retrial should take more supposition weak premises offered undermine court's confidence outcome. 19 Whenever federal grants prisoner issuance writ exacts great costs State's legitimate interest finality. where, occur years those burdens compounded many times. Those may justified serious doubts reliability infested constitutional error exist. case, appellate court, second-guessing convict's little slight support, proper delicate balance between courts upset degree correction. 20 21 petition certiorari granted, reversed, remanded proceedings opinion. motion proceed forma pauperis granted. 22 ordered. 23 Justice STEVENS, SOUTER, GINSBURG, BREYER dissent summary disposition case.

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