Opinion ID: 2685726
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Errors or Misconduct at Trial

Text: Claims 2, 5, 13, 15, 16, and 17 relate to errors or misconduct at trial. Briefly, Hessler asserted that his convictions and sentences must be overturned because of a biased jury, comments made by the trial judge and prosecution that diminished the jury’s role in sentencing, juror misconduct, prosecutorial misconduct, improperly admitted evidence, and cumulative error. Hessler asserted that his jury was biased on direct appeal.19 He alleged that the trial court erred in failing to excuse potential jurors who had formed opinions of his guilt and in overruling his motion to change venue because he could not receive a fair trial in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska.20 As this claim was previously asserted and rejected, Hessler was barred from asserting it again. Hessler’s remaining claims of errors or misconduct at trial were similarly barred. These claims were known to Hessler and could have been raised on direct appeal. But he did not do so. We therefore find no error in the district court’s denial of an evidentiary hearing on claims 2, 5, 13, 15, 16, and 17.