Martsay Bolder v. Paul Delo

985 F.2d 941, 1993 U.S. App. LEXIS 1238, 1993 WL 13500

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
• Decided: January 26, 1993
• Docket: 93-1205
• Status: Published

Opinions

BEAM, Circuit Judge.

This is an appeal from the district court’s denial of a third petition¹ for writ of habe-as corpus by Martsay Bolder. Mr. Bolder was convicted of capital murder in the death of Theron King and received a sentence of death. An abbreviated summary of Mr. Bolder’s federal challenges is set forth in the district court’s memorandum and order.

The district court recites the four grounds for habeas relief that Mr. Bolder raises in his third petition. The district court adequately and accurately discusses reasons for denial of the petition and we affirm the order refusing the requested relief. We also affirm the district court’s order overruling the emergency motion for stay of execution and for discovery. We adopt the well-reasoned opinion of the district court and discuss three additional matters.

First, Mr. Bolder contends that pri- or to his trial the “prosecution failed to disclose” medical records in violation of Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215 (1963). He states that the records would have shown that Mr. King died as a result of medical malpractice and “not as the result of any stab wound.” The district court does not directly discuss the Brady claim. It does, however, discuss Missouri law with regard to multiple and intervening causes of death and the application of this Missouri'law to the facts of this case as presented to the jury. State v. Williams, 652 S.W.2d 102, 111-12 (Mo.1983) (en banc); State v. Allen, 710 S.W.2d 912, 917 (Mo.Ct.App.1986).

This court has held that a successful Brady claim requires three findings: “(1) the prosecution suppressed the evidence, (2) the evidence was favorable to the accused, and (3) the evidence was material to the issue of guilt.” United States v. Thomas, 940 F.2d 391, 392 (8th Cir.1991). For purposes of the third finding, “ ‘material’ means that there exists a reasonable probability that had the evidence been disclosed to the defense, the result would have been different.” Id.

There is no indication of the specific facts contained in the medical records of Mr. King that were purportedly suppressed by the prosecution prior to trial. There is also no allegation that the prosecution knew, prior to trial, of the existence of inmate John Rapheld, whose affidavit was submitted with the third petition, let alone that the prosecution was aware of Mr. Rapheld’s state of mind presumably arising from supposed hearsay twice removed. There is also no allegation that the prosecution knew that Dr. R.K. Bowers, the prison doctor, or any physician at the University of Missouri-Columbia Medical Center held any state of mind with regard to medical malpractice, if any such state of mind, indeed, existed. Thus, the first element of the Brady claim fails.

Giving the allegation of Mr. Bolder and the affidavit of Mr. Rapheld the best evi-dentiary gloss possible, the second and third elements also fail under analysis. Even if medical malpractice occurred, and there is nothing but conclusory claims asserted in that regard, there is no reasonable probability that the result of the trial would have been different. The medical practice now condemned by Mr. Bolder was administered in the treatment of the severe stab wounds inflicted by Mr. Bolder. The medical records concerning this treatment were, as noted by the district court, before the jury. Thus, there is no showing by Mr. Bolder that any medical records or information under the control of the prosecution were withheld or that any records existed that were favorable to Mr. Bolder.

Second, the district court discusses the “actual innocence” claim raised by Mr. Bolder in relation to Sawyer v. Whitley, — U.S. -, 112 S.Ct. 2514, 120 L.Ed.2d 269 (1992). In Whitley, the issue involved eligibility for the “death penalty” as opposed to guilt or innocence of the offense charged, here capital murder. We do not read the third petition as an attack upon the penalty phase of the litigation. The first claim alleges “[ajetual innocence of offense charged.” (Emphasis added.) Mr. Bolder then specifically contends, as earlier indicated, that Mr. King died “as a result of medical malpractice” and “not as the result of any stab wound.”

It is clear in this circuit that the Whitley test is applicable to the issue of guilt or innocence of the underlying charge. McCoy v. Lockhart, 969 F.2d 649, 651 (8th Cir.1992). Beyond that, one other case should be discussed. Yesterday, the Supreme Court issued its opinion in Herrera v. Collins, — U.S. -, 113 S.Ct. 853, 122 L.Ed.2d 203 (Jan. 25, 1993). Herrera points out that Mr. Bolder’s claim of actual innocence “is not itself a constitutional claim, but instead a gateway through which a habeas petitioner must pass to have his otherwise barred constitutional claim considered on the merits.” Id. at -, 113 S.Ct. at 862. Of course, the constitutional claim alleged by Mr. Bolder, is the Brady violation.² As we have pointed out, the Brady issue fails even giving the allegations of Mr. Bolder their best evidentiary gloss. Additionally, as noted by Justice O’Connor in her concurrence in Herrera, affidavits such as the one from Mr. Rapheld, coming for the first time at the eleventh hour before the scheduled execution date and over twelve years after Mr. Bolder’s state trial, “are to be treated with a fair degree of skepticism.” Id. at-, 113 S.Ct. at 872. With no satisfactory explanation as to why an affidavit issued upon double hearsay comes at this late date, our view of its credibility is stretched beyond reasonable limits.

Third, the district court also did not address the state’s allegation of laches. We think that one aspect of this contention merits discussion. From the papers, it does appear that Mr. Bolder and his counsel were aware of Mr. Rapheld’s views and this purported “new” evidence well before the Friday, January 22, 1993, filing of the third petition. Indeed, the conclusions advanced by petitioner and his lawyers were almost certainly obvious before the Rule 60(b) litigation and without a doubt known in early January 1993. We agree with the state that the “eleventh hour” tactic used by counsel in this matter is not consistent with a search for truth and justice.

We affirm the denial of the writ; the overruling of the motion for stay of execution and the motion for discovery. We also overrule the separate emergency motion for stay of execution presented to this court with the appeal.

1 . Mr. Bolder’s second petition was in the form of a motion under Fed.R.Civ.P. 60(b)(6) which is the functional equivalent of a habeas petition. See Bolder v. Armontrout, 983 F.2d 98 (8th Cir.1992).

2 . Mr. Bolder also raises two claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. These allegations are, however, bottomed upon the purported Brady violation and, thus, rise or fall on the basis of its validity.