Opinion ID: 2234373
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 20

Heading: Arrest of Kearney

Text: After numerous unsuccessful attempts to serve Kearney with a subpoena to testify in the instant trial, Kearney was arrested on capias at the home of Jeremiah Brodie. Brodie and a woman named Stenette Sturdivant were also detained. During the arrest and a subsequent search of Brodie's residence, Omaha police officers found handguns, ammunition, marijuana, and cash. Brodie was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, and Sturdivant was charged with possession of stolen firearms and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. Kearney was not charged with any offense. Omaha police officer Dave Bianchi testified that Kearney was not charged, because I didn't believe we had any evidence against him, explaining that Sturdivant admitted the guns were hers and that there was no evidence Kearney was in possession of the guns or of the marijuana. The State filed a motion in limine to exclude evidence regarding the marijuana, firearms, and failure to charge Kearney with any crime. The district court ruled that Sellers could question Kearney as to what benefit, if any, he may have received on a plea agreement and why Kearney was not arrested in regard to the marijuana and cash. The court refused, however, to allow the jury to hear evidence of the guns and ammunition found during Kearney's arrest. And the court gave jury instruction No. 24, which provided: Evidence of marijuana and money located at [Brodie's residence in] Omaha, Nebraska, was received only for the limited purpose of the credibility of DaWayne Kearney and for no other purpose. You may consider this evidence only for the limited purpose and for no other.