Opinion
CR-19-247-G
09-22-2020
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. CHRISTOPHER LEE MONTGOMERY, Defendant.
ORDER
CHARLES B. GOODWIN, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
In accordance with the Due Process Protections Act, counsel are reminded of the disclosure obligations of the prosecutor under Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), and its progeny. In particular, “the suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable to an accused upon request violates due process where the evidence is material either to guilt or to punishment, irrespective of the good faith or bad faith of the prosecution.” Brady, 373 U.S. at 87. “[E]vidence is ‘material' within the meaning of Brady when there is a reasonable probability that, had the evidence been disclosed, the result of the proceeding would have been different.” Cone v. Bell, 556 U.S. 449, 469-470 (2009). A “reasonable probability” does not mean that the defendant “would more likely than not have received a different verdict with the evidence, ” only that the likelihood of a different result is great enough to “undermine[ ] confidence in the outcome of the trial.” Smith v. Cain, 565 U.S. 73, 75 (2012).
The Due Process Protections Act, PL 116-182, [S 1380], effective October 21, 2020, requires that the parties be informed regarding an amendment to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 5. By this legislation, subsection (f) of the Rule has been redesignated as subsection (g), with new subsection (f) hereinafter designated as “REMINDER OF PROSECUTORIAL OBLIGATION.” The amendment serves to remind prosecutors of their obligations to disclose exculpatory evidence pursuant to Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), and its progeny.
Possible consequences for a violation of this Order may include, but are not limited to, exclusion of evidence at trial, a finding of contempt, granting of a continuance, and dismissal of the charges with prejudice.
IT IS ORDERED.