Smith (Charles) v. State ( 2015 )


Menu:
  •                   conduct was improper, and, if so, whether reversal is warranted.     
    Id. at 1188,
    196 P.3d at 476.
    Smith first argues that the prosecutor committed misconduct
    by misrepresenting defense characterizations of a 2012 offense. No
    objection was made. Having considered the record and the prosecutor's
    statements regarding the 2012 case, Smith has not shown actual prejudice
    or a miscarriage of justice. Thus, we conclude that relief is not warranted
    for Smith's claim of prosecutorial misconduct.
    Smith also argued that the prosecutor committed misconduct
    by mischaracterizing the timing of Smith's guilty plea as it related to his
    remorsefulness and preserved this objection below. As the prosecutor was
    merely responding to defense counsel's arguments in favor of Smith's
    remorsefulness and did not misstate the record, see Sherman v. State, 
    114 Nev. 998
    , 1016, 
    965 P.2d 903
    , 915 (1998), we conclude that the prosecutor
    did not act improperly.
    Smith next argues that the district court admitted improper
    victim-impact testimony when it permitted the victim to present hearsay
    evidence from an unknown source, make improper comments regarding
    future potential crimes, and question Smith's remorsefulness. Victims
    may express their views regarding the crime, the perpetrator, the crime's
    impact, and restitution. NRS 176.015(3)(b). While the reference to future
    potential crimes was improper and it was error to permit the victim to
    introduce hearsay without providing Smith with notice of the identity of
    the hearsay's source in order to have an adequate opportunity to rebut
    that testimony, see 
    Sherman, 114 Nev. at 1015
    , 965 P.2d at 915;
    Buschauer v. State, 
    106 Nev. 890
    , 894, 
    804 P.2d 1046
    , 1049 (1990), Smith
    was not prejudiced by that error because the district court had been
    SUPREME COURT
    OF
    NEVADA
    2
    (0) 1947A    ea
    presented with grisly details of the crime and Smith's extensive criminal
    history, the district court stated that it sentenced him on the basis of the
    nature of the crime and his criminal record, and we have held that "[t]he
    district court is capable of listening to the victim's feelings without being
    subjected to an overwhelming influence by the victim in making its
    sentencing decision."   Randell v. State, 
    109 Nev. 5
    , 8, 
    846 P.2d 278
    , 280
    (1993). As NRS 176.015(3)(b) permits a victim to "[r] easonably express
    any views concerning . . . the person responsible," the district court did not
    err in permitting the victim to question Smith's remorsefulness.
    Therefore, we conclude that Smith has not shown prejudice.
    Having considered Smith's arguments and concluded that they
    are without merit, we
    ORDER the judgment of conviction AFFIRMED.
    dadi1/4
    Saitta
    J.
    cc:   Hon. Scott N. Freeman, District Judge
    Washoe County Alternate Public Defender
    Attorney General/Carson City
    Washoe County District Attorney
    Washoe District Court Clerk
    SUPREME COURT
    OF
    NEVADA
    3
    (0) 1947A AIle99
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 66738

Filed Date: 10/15/2015

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 4/18/2021