Opinion ID: 1379871
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Prosecutor's misstatement of evidence.

Text: During opening arguments, the prosecutor, William Henry, stated he would prove that McDougal had offered to exchange the  victim 's  ring for gas, and that boot-prints near the body bore the  same  pattern as the boots Lord was wearing. Lord contends that these two statements were error under Garner v. State, 78 Nev. 366, 374 P.2d 525 (1962) (holding that, during opening argument, prosecutor must refrain from stating facts which cannot be proved). Here, the testimony at trial did not directly establish that it was the victim's ring that McDougal had proffered. Further, Detective Hatch could not say that the boot-prints were the same (just similar), and he admitted that the boot-prints, in sandy soil, were not very reliable. Thus, we agree that Mr. Henry's comments somewhat overstated the evidence, and that this should be avoided. However, we need not decide if this was error under Garner. Defense counsel utilized his very ample cross-examination and closing argument to show that the State had not conclusively proved either of these two facts. Further, the jury was instructed that argument by counsel is not evidence. Under these circumstances, we conclude that any error on this point was harmless under NRS 178.598.