IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA



ATLANTA DIVISION





UNITED STATES OF AMERICA )

)

v. ) CRIMINAL ACTION

)

xxxxxxxx ) NO. 1:95-CR-274-01 (MHS)

______________________________)





MOTION TO REVEAL THE DEAL

AND BRIEF IN SUPPORT THEREOF



COMES NOW Defendant xxxxxxxxx., by and through undersigned counsel, and moves this Court for an Order compelling the Government to disclose the existence and substance of any agreements between any co-defendant, co-conspirator or any other person in this case and any officer or agent of the Federal or State Government. Movant's request includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(1)

All writings, recordings and photographs which relate in any way to offers, inducements or consideration made to any persons in an effort, whether successful or not, to obtain testimony in this case.

(2)

All writings recordings and photographs relating to offered "bargains," whether consummated or not, with person connected directly or indirectly with this case.

(3)

All writings, recordings and photographs relating to an offer of immunity or other special consideration made to persons directly or indirectly connected with this case.

(4)

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, defendant specifically requests that the Government disclose any bargains reached with any witness or prospective witness in this case, including but not limited to:

a. The substance of any "deal" or understanding reached between agents or officers of the Federal or State Government and potential witnesses in this case;

b. The date that the bargains were reached;

c. The date on which the negotiation of such "deals were undertaken;

d. The proffer, if any, made by the witness as to information he could provide the Government, including the date that the proffer was made;

e. Any debriefing notes and summaries obtained by the Government as a result of such negotiations; and

f. The results of any polygraph examination given to witnesses, pursuant to such agreements.

(5)

Defendant further requests all of the same information as requested in the above paragraph regarding any deal which was discussed with, or offered, to any individual by the Government, but for whatever reason not consummated.

(6)

Defendant further requests the same information as requested in paragraph 4 above with regard to any bargain reached between the Government any person connected with this case but for some reason ultimately voided prior to this date.

POINTS AND AUTHORITIES

In Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), the Supreme Court of the United States interpreted the due process clause of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States as establishing that the defendant in a criminal case has a right to obtain evidence favorable to the accused. The United States Supreme Court has further held that the Government may not suppress favorable evidence that is material to the credibility of one of its witnesses. Giglio v. United States, 405 U.S. 150 (1972). This circuit has held that "the prosecutorial suppression of an agreement with or promise to a material witness in exchange for that witness' testimony violates a criminal defendant's due process rights." Smith v. Kemp, 715 F.2d 1459, 1463 (11th Cir. 1983), see also, Drake v. Francis, 727 F.2d 990, 995 (11th Cir. 1984); Moore v. Zant, 722 F.2d 640, 649 (11th Cir. 1983); Ross v. Hopper, 716 F.2d 1528, 1535 (11th Cir. 1983).

The law is well settled in the Giglio context: "[C]ross-examination of a witness in matters pertinent to his credibility ought to be given the largest possible scope." United States v. Partin, 493 F.2d 750, 763 (5th Cir. 1974), quoting McConnell v. United States, 393 F.2d 404, 406 (5th Cir. 1968). This is especially true where a prosecution witness has had prior dealings with the prosecution or with other law enforcement officials, so that the possibility exists that his testimony was motivated by a desire to please the prosecution in exchange for the prosecutor's actions in having some or all of the charges against this witness dropped. United States v. Myer, 556 F.2d 245, 248-249 (5th Cir. 1977). Thus, in addition to the basic questions regarding the bargain, the defendant seeks to have the Government disclosure discussions with the Government witnesses concerning deals, where or not all of the potential benefits to those witnesses were ultimately agreed upon and reduced in a bargain. it is also requested that the Government reveal any prior deal that a witness has had with a Government agency, whether local, state or federal, in any other case. These matters are particularly relevant to the witness' bias as it reflects his willingness, desire and experience in cooperating with the Government.

The right of the defendant to cross-examine with regard to the witness' credibility was broadly enforced in United States v. Onori, 535 F.2d 938 (5th Cir. 1976). Correspondingly, the obligation of the Government to disclose any previous deal, any present deal or any prospective deal, whether reduced to the traditional plea agreement or not, should also be broadly viewed:

Indeed, it is so important that the defendant is allowed to "search" for a deal between the Government and the witness, even if there is no hard evidence that such a deal exists ... what tell, of course, is not the actual existence of a deal but the witness' belief or disbelief that deal exists.

United States v. Onori, 535 F.2d at 945.

Upon information and belief, defendant states that plea arrangements and "bargains" have been already reached between various co-defendants in this case and agents and officers of the Government. Due to the expansive nature of the factual allegations contained in the Indictment and the number of persons involved in this case, it is vitally important that this defendant's due process rights be protected through the complete disclosure of all deals, understandings and arrangements between the Government and persons connected with this case.

WHEREFORE, for the foregoing reasons, it is respectfully requested that the relief sought in this Motion be granted.

Dated: This ___ day of July, 1995.



Respectfully submitted,





______________________________________

GREGORY S. SMITH

ATTORNEY FOR

STATE BAR NO. 658375





Federal Defender Program, Inc.

Suite 3512, 101 Marietta Tower

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

(404) 688-7530





CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE



This is to certify that I have this day served a copy of the foregoing Motion to Reveal the Deal and Brief in Support Thereof upon:

William R. Toliver, Esq.

Assistant United States Attorney

1800 Richard B. Russell Building

75 Spring Street, S. W.

Atlanta, Georgia 30335



by hand delivering a copy of the same.



Dated: This ___ day of July, 1995.







______________________________________

GREGORY S. SMITH

ATTORNEY FOR

STATE BAR NO. 658375















































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