Opinion ID: 2100111
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 18

Heading: Capt. Gene Watson

Text: Benzel claimed trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to certain testimony by a police officer regarding statements made by a friend of Benzel's, McCarthy, who was with Benzel and Golle when they went to the Atkinson-Christensen house. McCarthy waited in the car when Benzel and Golle went into the house. Watson, of the Grand Island Police Department, testified at trial that he talked to McCarthy a few hours after the shooting and that when he asked McCarthy whose idea it was to go to the house, McCarthy said that it was Benzel's idea. McCarthy testified at trial that he had no recollection regarding whose idea it was to go to the house. Benzel argued that a limiting instruction should have been given in connection with Watson's testimony and that the jury should have been instructed to use such testimony only to impeach McCarthy. He also argued that in its closing argument, the prosecution urged the jury to use Watson's testimony as substantive evidence that it was Benzel's idea to go to the house. In analyzing Benzel's assignment of error relative to the admission of Watson's testimony, we are aware that ordinarily, the erroneous admission of evidence in a criminal case is considered prejudicial unless the State proves the error was harmless. See State v. Duncan, 265 Neb. 406, 657 N.W.2d 620 (2003). Further, as we read the district court's order, it appears that the postconviction court was aware of this principle as it considered Benzel's assignment of error relative to the admission of evidence as it pertained to the adequacy of counsel. The postconviction court concluded that although the admission of Watson's testimony may have been erroneous, Benzel failed to show prejudice because the evidence against Benzel was so compelling that a conviction would have resulted even without the testimony.