Opinion ID: 1936916
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: Motion to Vacate and Set Aside Judgment

Text: We explained in Bronson, supra, that a motion to vacate and set aside the judgment pursuant to § 29-4123(2) is similar to a motion to dismiss in a criminal case and that therefore, a standard comparable to that which is applied to a motion to dismiss in a criminal case should apply with respect to a motion under § 29-4123(2). We held that a court may properly grant a motion to vacate and set aside the judgment under § 29-4123(2) when (1) the DNA testing results exonerate or exculpate the person and (2) the results, when considered with the evidence of the case which resulted in the underlying judgment, show a complete lack of evidence to establish an essential element of the crime charged. This requires a finding that guilt cannot be sustained because the evidence is doubtful in character and completely lacking in probative value. State v. Bronson, ante p. 103, 111, 672 N.W.2d 244, 250-51 (2003). It is evident, without unnecessary elaboration, that none of the DNA testing results in this case meet the standard articulated in Bronson, supra . As did the district court, we question whether any of the DNA testing results can be said to exonerate or exculpate Buckman. But it is clear that those results, when considered with the evidence of the case resulting in Buckman's convictions, do not show a complete lack of evidence to establish any element of the crimes charged. The evidence from Buckman's trial, as summarized above, remains sufficient to establish all the elements of Buckman's convictions. As will be explained in further detail below, the DNA testing performed in this case does not serve to falsify or even undermine any of the evidence upon which Buckman's convictions were based. The district court correctly denied Buckman's motion to set aside or vacate the judgment against him pursuant to § 29-4123(2).