McGarvey v. State
2014 MT 189
| Mont. | 2014Background
- McGarvey appeals a district court denial of his postconviction relief petition.
- Two-homicide conviction from 2003 trial; PCR alleged Brady violation and ineffective assistance of counsel (IAC).
- District court held a hearing in 2011 and denied PCR.
- State relied on Armstrong and Edwardson testimony; defense cross-examined and presented a Sanchez/Mexican Mafia theory.
- McGarvey’s PCR raised undisclosed materials (Armstrong’s sentencing transcript, Fox’s letter, Leptich and Matts reports) and additional witness testimony.
- Court applies Brady standard and Strickland v. Washington to assess relief and cumulatively evaluates potential prejudice under cumulative error doctrine.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brady: whether State failed to disclose exculpatory/impeachment evidence | McGarvey—State withheld material impeachment evidence | State argues no suppression or not material | No Brady violation; evidence not material to outcome |
| Ineffective assistance of counsel | Counsel failed to adequately impeach Armstrong, Edwardson, Fox | Strategic trial decisions efficient; no prejudice | No ineffective assistance; no reasonable probability of different outcome |
| Cumulative error doctrine entitlement | Aggregate errors prejudiced trial | No single or cumulative prejudice shown | No new trial under cumulative error doctrine |
| Strategic trial decisions and witness selection | Counsel erred in not pursuing certain cross-examinations and witnesses | Decisions were reasonable trial tactics | Reasonable strategic decisions; not reversible on IAC grounds |
Key Cases Cited
- State v. Ellison, 364 Mont. 276 (Mont. 2012) (Brady disclosure standard applied)
- State v. Cooksey, 366 Mont. 346 (Mont. 2012) (Brady and suppression analysis in Montana)
- State v. St. Dennis, 244 P.3d 292 (Mont. 2010) (Brady materiality analysis; suppression framework)
- State v. Belgarde, 962 P.2d 571 (Mont. 1998) (Per se vs. negligent suppression)
- State v. Gollehon, 864 P.2d 249 (Mont. 1993) (Materiality of suppressed evidence; collective evaluation)
- State v. Heth, 750 P.2d 103 (Mont. 1988) (Deliberate suppression standard)
- State v. James, 357 Mont. 193 (Mont. 2010) (Reasonable diligence in obtaining evidence; booking photo)
- State v. Parrish, 241 P.3d 1041 (Mont. 2010) (Constructive awareness of evidence; duty to disclose)
- Kyles v. Whitley, 514 U.S. 419 (U.S. 1995) (Materiality of suppressed evidence; reasonable probability)
- State v. Finley, 312 Mont. 493 (Mont. 2002) (IAC pleadings require factual basis)