Opinion ID: 6500261
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: [1] In an evidentiary hearing on a motion for postconviction relief, the trial judge, as the trier of fact, resolves conflicts in the evidence and questions of fact. An appellate court upholds the trial court’s findings unless they are clearly erroneous. State v. Newman, 310 Neb. 463, 966 N.W.2d 860 (2021). [2] Appellate review of a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is a mixed question of law and fact. Id. When - 873 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 311 Nebraska Reports STATE v. ELLIS Cite as 311 Neb. 862 reviewing a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, an appellate court reviews the factual findings of the lower court for clear error. Id. With regard to the questions of counsel’s performance or prejudice to the defendant as part of the twopronged test articulated in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984), an appellate court reviews such legal determinations independently of the lower court’s decision. State v. Newman, supra.