Opinion ID: 1366816
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Ewish's convictions and Webb's convictions for the Lopez firebombing.

Text: In the instant case, application of Moore indicates that the district court properly rejected the lesser related instruction with respect to all Ewish's charges and Webb's charges solely related to the Lopez firebombing. In short, all three Moore factors are not satisfied. Applying the first factor, we conclude that explosive destruction is a lesser related offense to arson. [3] Nevada's arson statute, NRS 205.010, prohibits the willful and malicious burning of a dwelling. Similarly, explosive destruction, NRS 202.830, prohibits the malicious destruction of real property using an explosive. NRS 202.750 defines explosive as any incendiary devices . . . that ignition by fire, by friction, by concussion, by percussion, or by detonation of the compound, mixture or device or any part thereof may cause an explosion. Throwing a molotov cocktail into a house and causing a fire is prohibited conduct under both statutes. By contrast, the second and third Moore factors are not satisfied. Webb's defense to the Lopez firebombing and Ewish's overall defense are wholly inconsistent with the lesser related crime. Webb denied any participation in the Lopez incident, claiming that he was passed out in the back seat of Ewish's car. Similarly, Ewish defended against the State's aiding and abetting charges by flatly denying any active participation in either crime. Ewish also claimed that he was mentally incapable of forming the specific intent to aid in or abet any criminal activity. If believed, Webb's and Ewish's respective defenses would refute murder, arson, and even explosive destruction. The lesser related instruction is simply not required where a defendant completely denies culpability and is either guilty of the charged crime or not guilty at all. See, e.g., State v. Williams, 144 Ariz. 479, 486, 698 P.2d 724, 731 (1985); People v. Geiger, 35 Cal.3d 510, 199 Cal.Rptr. 45, 58, 674 P.2d 1303, 1315 (Ct.App.1984). In addition, there is no evidence in the record rationally supporting a conviction for the lesser related offense. Although Webb and Ewish presented evidence that they were not guilty of arson or aiding and abetting, this did not support an explosive destruction conviction. For example, all the evidence introduced in Webb's defense, if anything, established that he was passed out in the back seat of Ewish's car while Lopez's house was firebombed. From this posture, Webb could not have committed any crime. In turn, Ewish presented evidence refuting any active complicity in the night's events. If accepted, this evidence provided Ewish with a defense to any criminal activity. In view of this rationale, we conclude that the district court did not err by refusing to issue the lesser related instruction. This conclusion applies to all Ewish's convictions and Webb's convictions stemming from the Lopez firebombing.