Opinion ID: 2779229
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Thorpe’s Allegations

Text: In Thorpe’s amended motion for postconviction relief, he alleged how James Pierce, Brandi Ford, Ross, Burries, Rosario, Holman, Smithhistler, Laney, and Alexander would have testified if they had been called as witnesses. With regard to each witness, Thorpe alleged that his or her testimony “likely would have resulted in [Thorpe’s] acquittal.”
Thorpe alleged that James Pierce “had information that there was a possibility that Pacedeon Birge ‘Pacey,’ rather than [Thorpe] committed the murder of Kevin Pierce.” James Pierce would have testified that “‘Pacey’ was the type of person that would do something like this . . . in order to exact revenge on [James Pierce] for shooting [Pacey’s] brother.”
Thorpe alleged that Brandi Ford “had information that there was a possibility that ‘Pacey’ rather than [Thorpe], committed the murder of Kevin Pierce.” Specifically, Ford would have testified that she “had heard on the streets that ‘Pacey’ was telling people that it was going to be a ‘Brother for Brother’ eversince [sic] ‘Pacey’s[’] brother had been killed by James Pierce.” Ford also had heard from her friend “Travis” that another individual once threatened “to have Pacey shoot [Travis] in the head, like [Pacey] did Kevin Pierce.”
Thorpe alleged that Ross “had information that there was a possibility that ‘Pacey’ rather than [Thorpe], committed the murder of Kevin Pierce.” Ross would have testified that Kevin Pierce told her about two separate instances in which Pacey told Kevin Pierce that “he was going to kill him.” Ross also would have testified that Kevin Pierce told her that “‘Pacey’ was out to get him and would kill him” and that “the animosity between ‘Pacey’ and [Kevin] Pierce, was that [Kevin] Pierce’s brother James [Pierce], had killed Pacey’s younger brother.” Nebraska Advance Sheets STATE v. THORPE 159 Cite as 290 Neb. 149
Thorpe alleged that Burries “had information that there was a possibility that ‘Pacey,’ rather than [Thorpe], committed the murder of Kevin Pierce.” Burries would have testified that “a party named ‘Pacey’ had called [Kevin Pierce’s] cellphone approximately three years ago and told him ‘just like James [Pierce] killed my little brother, I’m gonna kill the youngest[’]” and that “Pacey also told James [Pierce] that he was going to do that.”
Thorpe alleged that Rosario “had information that there was a possibility that ‘Pacey,’ rather than [Thorpe], committed the murder of Kevin Pierce.” Rosario would have testified that “Pacey told her, ‘I want James [Pierce] because I’am [sic] going to do James [Pierce] like he did me” and that “Pacey then started talking about killing [James Pierce’s] little brother.” Rosario also would have testified that she “remembered a statement Pacey made to her as ‘somebody is going, going to die. I’m going to kill somebody.’”
Thorpe alleged that Holman “had information that there was a possibility that ‘Duall’ (Charles Brooks) rather than [Thorpe], committed the murder of Victor Ford.” Holman would have testified that Ford “had been fighting with ‘Duall’” and that she “believed that ‘Duall’ may have had something to do with Ford’s death.”
Thorpe alleged that Smithhistler “had information that there was a possibility that [Kevin Pierce’s girlfriend’s] mother’s boyfriend, rather than [Thorpe] committed the murder.” Smithhistler would have testified that at various times, Kevin Pierce stated that he got a “bite mark on his neck” from “his girlfriend” and that “his girlfriend was holding a knife on him.” Smithhistler also would have testified that on separate occasions, he observed Pierce arguing with “his girlfriend” Nebraska Advance Sheets 160 290 NEBRASKA REPORTS and with an individual that Pierce “said was his girlfriend’s mother’s boyfriend.”
Thorpe alleged that Laney “made phone contact with a party who had information that there was a possibility that Charles Brooks ‘Doall’, rather than [Thorpe], committed the murder of Victor Ford.” Thorpe claimed that Laney had spoken with James Pierce, Brandi Ford, Ross, Burries, Rosario, Holman, and Smithhistler, and that they told Laney the information which we described above when discussing each of these witnesses.
Thorpe alleged that Alexander “would have negated Matheny’s testimony.”