Beck v. Missouri

How later courts describe this case

• interpreting Barrowclough v. Kidder, Peabody & Co., Inc., 752 F.2d 923 (3d Cir.1985)
• listing citations and stating the general principle that " ‘[a] statutory time period is not mandatory unless it both expressly requires an agency or public official to act within a particular time period and specifies a consequence for failure to comply with the provision' ”
• Commonwealth does not violate disclosure requirements of Brady by failing to disclose evidence that it does not have and of which it is not aware
• testimony of appellant’s involvement in drug trafficking admissible to show relationship among parties involved in murder
• prospective juror was properly excluded where juror’s testimony established an irrevocable commitment to vote against the death penalty
• evidence of defendant’s drug dealing with victim’s brother, who had motive for murder, relevant to show previous relationship between parties
• investigatory delay, if reasonable, does not violate due process, even if a defendant is actually prejudiced in the preparation of his defense as a result of the delay
• ”[T]here must be independent evidence — besides the mere invocation of the privilege — upon which to base the negative inference.”