Smith (Michael) v. State ( 2013 )


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  •                    are not belied by the record and, if true, would entitle him to relief.
    Hargrove v. State, 
    100 Nev. 498
    , 502, 
    686 P.2d 222
    , 225 (1984).
    First, Smith argues that the district court erred by not
    conducting an evidentiary hearing and denying his claim that, prior to his
    decision to represent himself, counsel was ineffective for failing to move to
    suppress a photographic lineup. The district court denied this claim
    because Smith could have moved to suppress the lineup once he began
    representing himself and he was unable to fault prior counsel for his own
    errors. Smith correctly asserts that because he assumed representation
    the day before trial, any attempt to suppress the lineup would have been
    untimely and the district court would have been within its discretion to
    deny it on that basis. See EDCR 3.20(a); EDCR 3.28. However, because
    Smith failed to demonstrate that the outcome at trial would have been
    different even if the photographic lineup had been suppressed, we
    conclude that the district court did not err by denying this claim without
    conducting an evidentiary hearing. See Wyatt v. State, 
    86 Nev. 294
    , 298,
    
    468 P.2d 338
    , 341 (1970) (affirming a decision of the district court if it
    reaches the right result).
    Second, Smith argues that the district court erred by denying
    his claim that appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to successfully
    argue that the State violated Brady v. Maryland, 
    373 U.S. 83
     (1963), and
    that the violation caused him prejudice. The district court denied this
    claim because appellate counsel argued that the State violated Brady and
    addressed prejudice and Smith failed to demonstrate the manner that
    counsel should have argued the claim which would have had a reasonable
    probability of success on appeal. We conclude that Smith failed to
    demonstrate that district court erred by denying this claim. See Mazzan V.
    SUPREME COURT
    OF
    NEVADA
    2
    (o)   1947A
    •                                                                       1,777,14;77
    Warden, 
    116 Nev. 48
    , 67, 
    993 P.2d 25
    , 37 (2000) (summarizing the
    components necessary to show a Brady violation).
    Third, Smith argues that the district court erred by denying
    his claim that appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to raise trial
    counsel's ineffectiveness on direct appeal. The district court denied this
    claim because raising trial counsel's ineffectiveness on direct appeal would
    have been inappropriate. See Feazell v. State, 
    111 Nev. 1446
    , 1449, 
    906 P.2d 727
    , 729 (1995). We conclude that the district court did not err by
    denying this claim.
    Having considered Smith's contentions and concluded that
    they lack merit, we
    ORDER the judgment of the district court AFFIRMED.
    J.
    Douglas                                    Saitta
    cc: Hon. Doug Smith, District Judge
    Law Offices of Martin Hart, LLC
    Attorney General/Carson City
    Clark County District Attorney
    Eighth District Court Clerk
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