Gomez v. Commissioner of Correction

Summary

The court held that a prosecutor violates federal due process by knowingly failing to correct materially false testimony about benefits provided to cooperating witnesses, even when defense counsel has actual or constructive notice of the falsity. Whether disclosure to defense counsel is sufficient is a case-specific inquiry, and it was insufficient here because the prosecutor elicited and reinforced the false testimony, the witnesses were central to the case, and the jury was not effectively informed of the truth. The court reversed and directed that the convictions be vacated and a new trial ordered.