No. 19-8222

Steven Mason v. United States

Lower Court: District of Columbia
Docketed: 2020-04-08
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: brady brady-violation criminal-procedure disclosure due-process exculpatory exculpatory-evidence impeachment jury-prejudice prosecutorial-misconduct severance trial-severance
Latest Conference: 2020-05-15
Question Presented (from Petition)

I. Whether this Court should grant certiorari to determine whether the lower courts erred in finding that the Government's very late disclosure of extensive exculpatory and impeaching information – including its knowledge about a letter that its key witness had reportedly written, outlining his plans to lie against the co-defendants at trial – did not prejudice these Defendants under Brady and its progeny?

II. Whether this Court should grant certiorari to determine whether the lower courts erred in refusing to sever Mr. Mason's trial from that of co-defendant Andrea Miller, where these defendants' alleged criminal activities did not involve common acts or transactions, and even after a juror's written note demonstrated clear spillover prejudice, with that juror (later the foreperson) plainly confused and attributing criminal conduct presented only against Ms. Miller to Mr. Mason?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the lower courts erred in finding that the Government's late disclosure of exculpatory and impeaching information did not prejudice the defendants under Brady

Docket Entries

2020-05-18
Petition DENIED.
2020-04-23
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 5/15/2020.
2020-04-14
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2020-04-03
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due May 8, 2020)

Attorneys

Steven Mason
Gregory Stuart SmithLaw Office of Gregory S. Smith, Petitioner
United States
Noel J. FranciscoSolicitor General, Respondent