Repository Collection 03
California v. Trombetta
CASE ENTRY
Last Revised • July 9, 2026
This Source Verification Page documents the United States Supreme Court's decision in California v. Trombetta, cited in Claim I of the Supplemental Motion. The opinion establishes constitutional principles governing the preservation of potentially exculpatory evidence and is cited in support of the Defendant's claim regarding the handling, preservation, and disclosure of physical evidence.
Related SMAR Citation
“[California v. Trombetta, 467 U.S. 479, 485, 104 S.Ct. 2528, 81 L.Ed.2d 413 (1984)]”
Case Name
California v. Trombetta
Date
June 11, 1984
Verification Source
California v. Trombetta, 467 U.S. 479 (1984)
Source Location
Supreme Court of the United States
Highlighted Pages
1 - 2, 6
Referenced in the Supplemental Motion
Page 46, Paragraph: 94
✔ Original Court Order obtained and reviewed.
✔ Relevant passages highlighted.
✔ Publicly available source
✔ Included within the Source Verification Archive
May's reliance upon California v. Trombetta, 467 U.S. 479 (1984), for the constitutional principles
governing the preservation of potentially exculpatory evidence. Trombetta is cited to establish that
due process may be violated when law enforcement fails to preserve evidence possessing
apparent exculpatory value that cannot be obtained through other reasonably available means.
May relies upon this authority to support his claim that failures by law enforcement agencies to
properly preserve, maintain, account for, or disclose physical evidence in his case warrant judicial
scrutiny and may have impaired his ability to challenge the State's evidence.
Source Status
Cited to Support
Supporting Documents
Original Article
Link to the original article.
Highlighted Research Copy
Working research copy containing the highlighted passages cited in the Supplemental Motion.
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