Opinion ID: 1227854
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Other Alleged Guilt-Phase Errors

Text: Prior to his trial, Cavanaugh sought a writ of habeas corpus. The issue of spousal privilege arose; Cavanaugh claimed that certain testimony before the grand jury was privileged. To resolve that issue, the court heard evidence regarding Cavanaugh's marital status. Cavanaugh claims this was improper, since the grand jury did not hear that evidence. Cavanaugh's argument confuses two doctrines. When an accused alleges that the evidence presented to the grand jury is inadequate to show probable cause, the state may not present additional evidence of guilt in an attempt to justify the indictment. [8] However, this does not preclude admission of evidence concerning the applicability of a privilege when the issue is whether the grand jury improperly heard the evidence on which its indictment was based. Nor did the court err in refusing a proffered jury instruction concerning the weight to be given a perjurer's testimony. Other instructions covered that issue; repetition is not required, Roland v. State, 96 Nev. 300, 608 P.2d 500 (1980).