Opinion ID: 1966978
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Deposition Questions

Text: Nesbitt next alleges that his counsel was ineffective for failing to ask Kenneth G. Miller, the State's lead investigator, a list of 22 detailed deposition questions that Nesbitt had personally prepared. Nesbitt alleges that these questions, if asked, would have favorably affected the outcome of his subsequent motion in limine that sought to exclude the testimony of McKeever and/or any reference to the McKeever incident. At the outset, we note that except for such basic decisions as ... whether to plead guilty, waive a jury trial, or testify in his or her own behalf, a defendant is bound by the tactical or strategic decisions made by his or her counsel. State v. Sayers, 211 Neb. 555, 562, 319 N.W.2d 438, 442 (1982). See, also, Jones v. Barnes, 463 U.S. 745, 103 S.Ct. 3308, 77 L.Ed.2d 987 (1983); People v. Towey, 92 Cal.App.4th 880, 112 Cal.Rptr.2d 326 (2001); ABA Standards for Criminal Justice Prosecution and Defense Function 4-5.2 (3d ed.1993). Consequently, defense counsel was under no obligation to ask Miller the questions Nesbitt had provided. Except for those basic decisions listed above, and others of similarly fundamental import, the control and direction of the case rests in the sound discretion of defense counsel and not the accused. Id. The fact that defense counsel has authority over strategic decisions such as whom to call and what questions to ask does not, however, mean that defense counsel's decisions cannot be considered ineffective if those decisions ultimately prejudice the accused. Nesbitt claims that his counsel was constitutionally ineffective for failing to propound certain questions to the deponent. Fourteen of the twenty-two proposed questions involve single or multiple levels of hearsay. See Neb.Rev.Stat. § 27-802 (Reissue 1995). Given the strong presumption that trial counsel acted reasonably, see, e.g., State v. Carlson, 260 Neb. 815, 619 N.W.2d 832 (2000), we cannot conclude that defense counsel was deficient in not asking questions that called for inadmissible answers. Nesbitt alleges that his attorney failed to question Miller concerning the cause of Harmer's death. However, select portions of Miller's deposition were read into the record by Nesbitt's counsel during the trial. Those portions indicate that Miller was asked by Nesbitt's counsel if he had knowledge to indicate that Harmer had met a violent death, to which Miller answered no. Therefore, the records and files affirmatively prove that Nesbitt's counsel did not fail to question Miller in this regard. See, e.g., State v. Silvers, 260 Neb. 831, 620 N.W.2d 73 (2000). Nesbitt also alleges that his attorney failed to question Miller about whether a private investigator or the county attorney's office had provided information to the media in order to influence the outcome of his trial. However, Nesbitt has failed to allege any specific facts demonstrating how he was prejudiced by this alleged omission. Accordingly, Nesbitt is not entitled to an evidentiary hearing on this issue. Finally, Nesbitt alleges that his attorney failed to question Miller about the substance of police reports regarding the McKeever incident, which reports were subsequently lost or destroyed. Nesbitt alleged generally that such reports were relevant, favorable and material to the defense and would have made a difference on [sic] the outcome of this case. However, he made no allegations regarding the specific factual content of such reports or the extent of Miller's knowledge concerning them. We conclude that Nesbitt's conclusory allegations are insufficient to state a claim for postconviction relief and that the district court did not err in denying relief as to these allegations without an evidentiary hearing.