Cjad 405 - Laws of Criminal Evidence

Walter Medford

CJAD 405 C

Laws of Criminal Evidence

January 20. 2016

Maddox V. Montgomery

United States Court of Appeals,

Eleventh Circuit 718 F.2d 1033

(11th Cir. 1983)

Facts:

In the Georgia State court, Jimmy Maddox was convicted of rape and sentenced to serve life in prison. With an unsuccessfully appeal process, Maddox filed a federal habeas corpus petition. This was due to the allegation of the prosecutorial suppression of exculpatory evidence. (Brady V. Maryland) The Brady doctrine applies to four different type of situations. The first is when the prosecutor fails tell the defense about evidence. Secondly, the prosecutor does not give information regardless of the defense request. Next, the prosecutor knowingly allows a conviction with false evidence failing to inform the defense. Kathy Elder made false and inconsistent statements.

Issue:

Maddox rights were violated when Due Process was not seen thorough. Maddox rights were violated via Brady V. Maryland when the state failed to present the photos taken by the officer shortly after the alleged rape showing Kathy Elder bedroom neatly cleaned. During the evidence collection of the bed room, the bed spread did not show signs of a semen, fluids, or blood. The officer failed to complete a rape kit and no witness statements were completed.

Decision of the Court:

The U. S.