Opinion ID: 1718807
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: third search

Text: A third search of Silvers' residence occurred in mid-July 1986. Silvers argues that a barbell discovered during this search contributed to his decision to plead guilty. The district court found that Silvers apparently believed that the barbell could have incriminated him in an assault on the victim shortly before he set the fire. In his motion for postconviction relief, Silvers alleged that the failure of his trial counsel to seek suppression of this item of evidence contributed to his decision to plead guilty. The district court found that such allegation was directly contradicted by Silvers' postconviction testimony: Q Did Mr. Hogg have any discussion with you about the State's locating the weight bar in the basement of your residence? A Just prior to me entering the plea. Q And what influence, if any, did the location of thatfinding that weight bar have to do with the entry of the plea? A I believe at that time I had already decided to plead. Q So it really didn't play a role in your making that decision? A Not a significant one. Based on Silvers' testimony, the district court found that the seizure of the barbell had no significant bearing on Silvers' decision to enter a plea of guilty regardless of whether the search was appropriate. We cannot say that the district court was clearly erroneous in concluding that the discovery of the barbell did not play a roll in Silvers' decision to plead guilty.