Opinion ID: 1147572
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the exercise of peremptory challenges by the prosecutor.

Text: If Phillips states a prima facie Batson violation, the prosecutor must offer a racially neutral explanation for the exercise of peremptory challenges. See Batson, supra; Haynes v. State, 103 Nev. 309, 739 P.2d 497 (1987). The only evidence Phillips presents regarding his Batson claim is not evidence at all, but, rather, the following allegation in Phillips brief: Court-appointed counsel has been advised by Appellant that the state removed both prospective black jurors by the use of peremptory challenges. The record does not contain a transcript of jury voir dire or any other evidence relating to these peremptory challenges. Phillips has not properly preserved this issue for appeal by failing to include in the record on appeal any facts pertaining to these two peremptory challenges. This court can rule only on matters contained within the record. A Minor v. State, 85 Nev. 323, 325, 454 P.2d 895, 896 (1969). Facts or allegations contained in a brief are not evidence and are not part of the record. Id.; Sparks v. State, 96 Nev. 26, 29, 604 P.2d 802, 804 (1980). Under these authorities, this court cannot reach Phillips' Batson claim. Even if this court did accept Phillips' allegations as evidence stating a prima facie Batson violation, the record contains no evidence to permit this court to assess whether the prosecutor had a neutral explanation for these peremptory challenges. Phillips' appellate counsel states that he could not have known of a possible Batson violation since appellate counsel was not present at trial and any records on jury voir dire likely would not include any reference to race. Even granting that this is true, however, appellate counsel learned of Phillips' Batson claim before filing the Opening Brief of Appellant. Since then, appellant's counsel could have remedied the defect in the record in at least two ways. First, based on excusable neglect, counsel could have moved this court to supplement the record pursuant to NRAP 10(g). Second, even if there was no reporter's transcript of the voir dire, counsel could have prepared a statement of what transpired based on Phillips' and trial defense counsel's recollections pursuant to NRAP 10(c). Phillips had a fair opportunity to supplement the record on appeal. Although this court does not lightly dismiss constitutional claims due to an inadequate record, Phillips must present this claim, if at all, through other post-conviction processes. For the reasons stated above, we affirm the district court's judgment of conviction in all respects.