I am called by conscience to tell you of this matter.
I was an expert witness at this trial, testifying as to certain aspects of cultural and political background in the case. The issues raised in these filings relate to payments of $14,500 made by the FBI to informants, a husband and wife team, who were later to become witnesses of fact in Mr. Seda’s trial. Although one of the informants/witnesses died prior to the trial, the other testified for the government. Prior to that factual testimony the witness was promised an additional $7,500 cash payment, that was to be paid after the trial was concluded.
These prior payments, and the promise of payment only came to light when the request to pay $7,500 landed on Dwight Holton’s desk and he both refused to authorize the payment and required the trial prosecutors to disclose this information to the defense, as required by law. I note that Mr. Holton is the chief federal law enforcement officer for the District of Oregon (and a native Virginian).
When that disclosure was made the defense was provided over 60 pages of notes and reports that had not been disclosed prior to trial, relating to these informants/witnesses. At that point it was discovered that there are official FBI reports of interviews with the informants/witnesses that have been dramatically altered to remove exculpatory information. Mr. Seda has been ordered released pending resolution of all this.
Does not our tradition of justice call out for retribution and recompense? pl
Download (517) Supplement to Motion for New Trial
Download (518) Strupp Declaration
Download (519) Motion for Release
