Court Opinion

ID: 9899661
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-11-17 15:07:16.849219+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:20:45.640601
License: Public Domain

Nebraska Supreme Court Online Library
www.nebraska.gov/apps-courts-epub/
11/17/2023 09:07 AM CST

                                                         - 466 -
                               Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
                                        315 Nebraska Reports
                                                      STATE V. DAP
                                                   Cite as 315 Neb. 466

                                        State of Nebraska, appellee, v.
                                          Dap Tuak Dap, appellant.
                                                     ___ N.W.2d ___

                                         Filed November 17, 2023.   No. S-22-810.

                 1. Trial: Convictions: Evidence: Appeal and Error. An appellate court
                    will sustain a conviction in a bench trial of a criminal case if the prop-
                    erly admitted evidence, viewed and construed most favorably to the
                    State, is sufficient to support that conviction. In making this determina-
                    tion, an appellate court does not resolve conflicts in the evidence, pass
                    on the credibility of witnesses, evaluate explanations, or reweigh the
                    evidence presented, because these are within a fact finder’s province for
                    disposition. Instead, the relevant question is whether, after viewing the
                    evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier
                    of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a
                    reasonable doubt.
                 2. Criminal Law: Motions for New Trial: Appeal and Error. In a crimi-
                    nal case, a motion for new trial is addressed to the discretion of the trial
                    court, and unless an abuse of discretion is shown, the trial court’s deter-
                    mination will not be disturbed.
                 3. Effectiveness of Counsel: Appeal and Error. Whether a claim of inef-
                    fective assistance of counsel may be determined on direct appeal is a
                    question of law.
                 4. ____: ____. In reviewing claims of ineffective assistance of counsel on
                    direct appeal, an appellate court decides only whether the undisputed
                    facts contained within the record are sufficient to conclusively deter-
                    mine whether counsel did or did not provide effective assistance and
                    whether the defendant was or was not prejudiced by counsel’s alleged
                    deficient performance.
                 5. Evidence: Circumstantial Evidence: Proof: Words and Phrases.
                    There are two kinds of evidence, direct and circumstantial. Direct
                    evidence directly proves the fact in dispute without inference or
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             Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
                      315 Nebraska Reports
                                  STATE V. DAP
                               Cite as 315 Neb. 466

      presumption. Circumstantial evidence is evidence of one or more
      facts from which the existence of the fact in dispute may logically
      be inferred.
 6.   Circumstantial Evidence: Proof. Circumstantial evidence is not inher-
      ently less probative than direct evidence, and a fact proved by circum-
      stantial evidence is nonetheless a proven fact.
 7.   Appeal and Error. An appellate court is not obligated to engage in an
      analysis that is not needed to adjudicate the controversy before it.
 8.   Effectiveness of Counsel: Postconviction: Records: Appeal and
      Error. When a defendant’s trial counsel is different from his or her
      counsel on direct appeal, the defendant must raise on direct appeal any
      issue of trial counsel’s ineffective performance which is known to the
      defendant or is apparent from the record; otherwise, the issue will be
      procedurally barred in a subsequent postconviction proceeding.
 9.   ____: ____: ____: ____. An ineffective assistance of counsel claim is
      raised on direct appeal when the claim alleges deficient performance
      with enough particularity for (1) an appellate court to make a determina-
      tion of whether the claim can be decided upon the trial record and (2)
      a district court later reviewing a petition for postconviction relief to
      recognize whether the claim was brought before the appellate court.
10.   Effectiveness of Counsel: Proof: Appeal and Error. When a claim of
      ineffective assistance of counsel is raised in a direct appeal, the appel-
      lant is not required to allege prejudice; however, an appellant must make
      specific allegations of the conduct that he or she claims constitutes defi-
      cient performance by trial counsel.
11.   Effectiveness of Counsel: Records: Appeal and Error. Once raised, an
      appellate court will determine whether the record on appeal is sufficient
      to review the merits of the ineffective performance claims. The record
      is sufficient if it establishes either that trial counsel’s performance was
      not deficient, that the appellant will not be able to establish prejudice as
      a matter of law, or that trial counsel’s actions could not be justified as a
      part of any plausible trial strategy.
12.   Effectiveness of Counsel: Proof. To prevail on a claim of ineffective
      assistance of counsel under Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668,
      104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984), the defendant must show that
      counsel’s performance was deficient and that this deficient performance
      actually prejudiced the defendant’s defense.
13.   ____: ____. To show that counsel’s performance was deficient, the
      defendant must show counsel’s performance did not equal that of a law-
      yer with ordinary training and skill in criminal law.
14.   ____: ____. To show prejudice from counsel’s deficient performance,
      the defendant must demonstrate a reasonable probability that but for
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           Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
                    315 Nebraska Reports
                                STATE V. DAP
                             Cite as 315 Neb. 466

    counsel’s deficient performance, the result of the proceeding would have
    been different.
15. Trial: Evidence: Presumptions: Appeal and Error. In a case tried to
    the court without a jury, there is a presumption that the trial court, in
    reaching its decision, considered only evidence that is competent and
    relevant, and an appellate court will not overturn such a decision where
    there is sufficient material, competent, and relevant evidence to sustain
    the judgment.

  Appeal from the District Court for Hall County: Patrick M.
Lee, Judge. Affirmed.
  J.D. Sabott, of Wolf, McDermott, Depue, Sabott, Butz &
Porto, L.L.C., for appellant.
  Michael T. Hilgers, Attorney General, Erin E. Tangeman,
and Matthew Lewis for appellee.
  Heavican, C.J., Miller-Lerman, Cassel, Funke, Papik,
and Freudenberg, JJ.
   Cassel, J.
                       I. INTRODUCTION
   In this direct appeal, Dap Tuak Dap challenges the suffi-
ciency of the evidence to sustain his convictions for possession
of a firearm by a prohibited person and unlawful discharge of
a firearm, the overruling of his motion for a new trial, and the
effectiveness of trial counsel. His arguments largely attack the
State’s reliance on circumstantial evidence. Because we find
no reversible error or abuse of discretion, we affirm.
                       II. BACKGROUND
   Shortly after midnight on January 2, 2022, Tara Fugate heard
loud noises and screaming outside her apartment. Fugate’s
apartment is near the stairway on the second floor of a two-
story apartment building. The outdoor stairway, located at one
end of the building, provides access to the second floor. The
stairs go up halfway to a landing, and then the other half of the
stairs leads to the second level.
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         Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
                  315 Nebraska Reports
                           STATE V. DAP
                        Cite as 315 Neb. 466

   As Fugate moved to close her window drapes, she heard a
gunshot. Fugate looked outside and saw an individual, whom
she later identified as Dap, “screaming at the other ones.”
According to Fugate, Dap was standing on the landing and the
others were in an apartment “catty-corner from [Fugate’s front]
door.” Fugate saw “an object” in Dap’s hands, but she did
not know what it was. She testified: “Could have been a cell
phone. Could have been a can of pop.” It was dark outside, and
although Fugate did not see the object’s color, she testified that
it “flickered in the darkness.” Fugate heard Dap say, “[exple-
tive] you” and either “next time I won’t miss you” or “next
time I will hit you.”
   Fugate testified that Dap “ran up onto the landing and then
up the steps” and entered the apartment where the person at
whom he was screaming was located. After Dap ran into the
apartment, Fugate heard another sound similar to a gunshot;
however, it was “more muffled” than the first gunshot sound.
Fugate explained that it was “obvious[]” the first shot was
outside and that the second shot was “in a closed encounter.”
   Police officers arrived at the apartment building, and Dap
refused to cooperate with their orders. Officer Justin Roehrich
testified that as the officers tried to get Dap to descend the
stairs, Roehrich “noticed a glistening on the concrete right next
to the handrail of the stairway.” Roehrich discovered a shell
casing for a .22-caliber bullet. He explained that a shell casing
will generally land within 5 feet of where a gun is fired.
   After Roehrich spoke with Fugate, he obtained a search
warrant. Roehrich and other officers then searched the apart-
ment that Fugate saw Dap enter. In the living room of
that apartment, they found a wallet containing identifica-
tion belonging to Dap and a .22-caliber shell casing located
nearby. Roehrich observed a hole in the living room ceiling
that was consistent with a .22-caliber bullet. Another officer
climbed into the attic to look for the slug. That officer located
the point where the bullet entered the attic and followed its
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            Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
                     315 Nebraska Reports
                                STATE V. DAP
                             Cite as 315 Neb. 466

trajectory to a rafter that sustained damage. He did not locate
the metal portion of that round. Likewise, no gun was found.
   After a bench trial, the court convicted Dap of possession
of a deadly weapon (firearm) by a prohibited person, unlawful
discharge of a firearm, use of a deadly weapon to commit a
felony, and obstructing a peace officer.
   Dap moved for a new trial. He alleged that the verdict for
possession of a firearm by a prohibited person was not sus-
tained by sufficient evidence and was contrary to law, that an
error of law occurred at trial, and that there was an irregularity
in an order of the court. The court overruled the motion.
   Following sentencing, Dap filed a timely appeal. We moved
the appeal to our docket under our statutory authority to regu-
late the caseloads of the appellate courts of this state. 1
                III. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
   Dap assigns six errors, which we have reordered and consol-
idated into four categories. First, Dap alleges that the evidence
was insufficient to support the convictions under Neb. Rev.
Stat. §§ 28-1206 (Cum. Supp. 2022) and 28-1212.02 (Reissue
2016). Second, he contends that the court abused its discretion
in denying his motion for a new trial. Third, Dap alleges that
he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel due to (1)
counsel’s failure to investigate the State’s allegations by fail-
ing to (a) communicate and adequately review discovery with
Dap, (b) conduct depositions, and (c) investigate in an attempt
to develop favorable evidence; and (2) counsel’s advice that
Dap should not testify in his own behalf. Fourth, Dap contends
that the cumulative effect of all the errors deprived him of his
right to a fair trial and to due process under the 5th and 14th
Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
                IV. STANDARD OF REVIEW
   [1] An appellate court will sustain a conviction in a bench
trial of a criminal case if the properly admitted evidence,
1
    See Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-1106(3) (Cum. Supp. 2022).
                                 - 471 -
          Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
                   315 Nebraska Reports
                              STATE V. DAP
                           Cite as 315 Neb. 466

viewed and construed most favorably to the State, is suffi-
cient to support that conviction. In making this determination,
an appellate court does not resolve conflicts in the evidence,
pass on the credibility of witnesses, evaluate explanations, or
reweigh the evidence presented, because these are within a fact
finder’s province for disposition. Instead, the relevant question
is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favor-
able to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have
found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reason-
able doubt. 2
   [2] In a criminal case, a motion for new trial is addressed
to the discretion of the trial court, and unless an abuse of
discretion is shown, the trial court’s determination will not
be disturbed. 3
   [3,4] Whether a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel
may be determined on direct appeal is a question of law. 4 In
reviewing claims of ineffective assistance of counsel on direct
appeal, an appellate court decides only whether the undisputed
facts contained within the record are sufficient to conclusively
determine whether counsel did or did not provide effective
assistance and whether the defendant was or was not preju-
diced by counsel’s alleged deficient performance. 5

                        V. ANALYSIS
                 1. Sufficiency of Evidence
   [5,6] Dap argues that the evidence presented at trial was
insufficient to find him guilty of possession of a firearm
by a prohibited person and guilty of unlawful discharge of
a firearm. In resolving whether the evidence supports the
convictions, we are mindful that there are two kinds of
2
  State v. Vanderford, 312 Neb. 580, 980 N.W.2d 397 (2022).
3
  State v. Allen, 314 Neb. 663, 992 N.W.2d 712 (2023), modified on denial
  of rehearing ante p. 255, 995 N.W.2d 446.
4
  Id.
5
  Id.
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          Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
                   315 Nebraska Reports
                              STATE V. DAP
                           Cite as 315 Neb. 466

evidence, direct and circumstantial. 6 Direct evidence directly
proves the fact in dispute without inference or presumption. 7
Circumstantial evidence is evidence of one or more facts from
which the existence of the fact in dispute may logically be
inferred. 8 Circumstantial evidence is not inherently less proba-
tive than direct evidence, and a fact proved by circumstantial
evidence is nonetheless a proven fact. 9 We now turn to the two
convictions challenged by Dap.

                    (a) Possession of Firearm
                      by Prohibited Person
   Dap argues that the evidence was insufficient to support his
conviction for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person
under § 28-1206. The only element of the offense that he chal-
lenges is proof that he possessed a firearm.
   Dap’s argument relies on the absence of direct evidence.
He highlights that no one found a gun and that Fugate did not
testify that she saw him with a gun.
   However, circumstantial evidence supports the conviction.
Fugate heard a gunshot. She looked out the window of her
apartment and saw Dap with an object in his hands. Fugate
heard Dap scream something like, “[expletive] you, next time I
won’t miss.” Law enforcement located a spent shell casing near
where Fugate saw Dap standing. Viewing the evidence in the
light most favorable to the State, a rational trier of fact could
find beyond a reasonable doubt that Dap possessed a gun.

              (b) Unlawful Discharge of Firearm
   Dap also challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to sup-
port his conviction for unlawful discharge of a firearm. He
relies on the statutory language of § 28-1212.02, making it
6
  Estate of Block v. Estate of Becker, 313 Neb. 818, 986 N.W.2d 726 (2023).
7
  Id.
8
  Id.
9
  Id. See, also, State v. Thelen, 305 Neb. 334, 940 N.W.2d 259 (2020).
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          Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
                   315 Nebraska Reports
                             STATE V. DAP
                          Cite as 315 Neb. 466

a felony when a person “unlawfully and intentionally dis-
charges a firearm at an inhabited dwelling house [or] occu-
pied building.” Dap contends that no evidence supported a
finding that a shot was fired at a dwelling. We disagree.
   The State presented evidence that two shots were fired, one
outside and one inside. With respect to the shot fired outside,
Dap argues that there was no evidence regarding the direc-
tion it was shot or that it entered a dwelling from the outside.
Pointing to inferences that can be drawn from the evidence,
the State contends it met its burden of proof. We agree with
the State.
   Much of the same evidence supporting the possession of a
firearm conviction also supports the conviction for unlawful
discharge of a firearm. Again, Fugate heard a gunshot outside
and saw Dap with something in his hand. Dap was scream-
ing at someone inside an apartment, and Fugate heard him
say something like, “next time I won’t miss.” Officers found
a spent shell casing outside where Fugate saw Dap standing.
From this evidence, a reasonable fact finder could determine
that Dap fired a gun at an occupant in the apartment, but
missed. Viewed in the light most favorable to the State, cir-
cumstantial evidence supports the conviction.
   Dap focuses on the shot fired inside the apartment and
argues that it does not fit within the statutory language crimi-
nalizing the discharge of a firearm “at” a dwelling. 10 He cites
to case law from other states, reasoning that a shot fired from
within an inhabited building or motor vehicle is not a shot
fired at a building 11 or vehicle 12 for purposes of that state’s
penal statute.
10
   See § 28-1212.02.
11
   See, People v. Morales, 168 Cal. App. 4th 1075, 85 Cal. Rptr. 3d 873
   (2008); People v. Stepney, 120 Cal. App. 3d 1016, 175 Cal. Rptr. 102
   (1981).
12
   See State v. Tafoya, 2012 NMSC 030, 285 P.3d 604 (2012).
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             Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
                      315 Nebraska Reports
                                 STATE V. DAP
                              Cite as 315 Neb. 466

   The State, in arguing that the second shot satisfies
§ 28-1212.02, relies on evidence that the bullet penetrated the
ceiling and struck the building’s structure. Drawing from our
decision in State v. Wells, 13 the State argues that the second
shot resulted in a bullet penetrating the structure of the build-
ing beyond the wall of the apartment within which the shot
was fired.
   [7] Whether a firearm discharged within an occupied dwell-
ing satisfies § 28-1212.02 is an issue we need not decide. Here,
the State charged Dap with one count of unlawful discharge
of a firearm and the evidence related to the shot fired outside
supports the conviction. Because an appellate court is not
obligated to engage in an analysis that is not needed to adju-
dicate the controversy before it, 14 we need not resolve whether
Dap could also be convicted based on the shot fired within
the apartment.
                   2. Motion for New Trial
   Dap assigns that the court abused its discretion in overruling
his motion for new trial. He advances three arguments, but all
lack merit.
   First, Dap argues that there was not sufficient evidence to
sustain the conviction for possession of a firearm by a pro-
hibited person. But, as we determined above, circumstantial
evidence supported the conviction. Accordingly, the court did
not abuse its discretion in overruling the motion for a new trial
on this ground.
   Next, Dap contends that an error of law occurred at trial when
the court failed to apply the plain meaning of § 28-1212.02.
His argument is premised on his contention that discharging a
gun within a dwelling does not support a crime charged under
§ 28-1212.02. Just as we declined to reach that question above,
we need not do so here.
13
     State v. Wells, 300 Neb. 296, 912 N.W.2d 896 (2018).
14
     State v. Dolinar, ante p. 257, 995 N.W.2d 18 (2023).
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             Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
                      315 Nebraska Reports
                                 STATE V. DAP
                              Cite as 315 Neb. 466

   Finally, Dap contends that the court should have sustained
his motion for a new trial because there was “an irregularity
in an order of the [c]ourt” 15 based on the court’s comments in
making its ruling from the bench. However, these oral com-
ments do not fit within the statutory definition of an order. An
“order” is defined as “[e]very direction of a court or judge,
made or entered in writing and not included in a judgment.” 16
   To the extent that Dap’s argument can be read to assert
the comments constituted an irregularity in the proceedings,
that argument also fails. Dap’s argument is based on the
court’s remarks concerning the counts alleging possession
of a firearm by a prohibited person, unlawful discharge of a
firearm, and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony. At
this point, we emphasize that because a jury was waived, the
court acted as the finder of fact and its statement was made in
that capacity.
   In explaining the court’s view of the evidence, it stated that
those counts were “essentially interwoven,” that “it would
be very difficult for [Dap] to be acquitted of one and not
acquitted of the other or convicted of one and not convicted
of the other,” and that “[t]hey appear to be a package deal of
sorts.” Dap points to no authority suggesting that the judge
in a bench trial is somehow precluded from commenting on
the evidence.
   Dap argues that the court’s statement was incorrect because
a fact finder could determine that he possessed a firearm
but that he did not discharge it at an occupied dwelling. The
court’s commentary did not foreclose that possibility. Rather,
the court stated that it would be “very difficult” to be con-
victed of one and not the other under the circumstances pre-
sented. But more importantly, the court recounted the evidence
upon which it found the State met its burden on all three
counts. There was nothing irregular about that. The court’s
15
     Brief for appellant at 12.
16
     Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-914 (Reissue 2016).
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           Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
                    315 Nebraska Reports
                              STATE V. DAP
                           Cite as 315 Neb. 466

articulated conclusions regarding the weight of the evidence
fell squarely within its province as the finder of fact. We con-
clude the court did not abuse its discretion in overruling Dap’s
motion for a new trial.

            3. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
   [8] Through different counsel, Dap contends that his trial
counsel provided ineffective assistance in numerous ways.
When a defendant’s trial counsel is different from his or her
counsel on direct appeal, the defendant must raise on direct
appeal any issue of trial counsel’s ineffective performance
which is known to the defendant or is apparent from the
record; otherwise, the issue will be procedurally barred in a
subsequent postconviction proceeding. 17
   [9,10] An ineffective assistance of counsel claim is raised
on direct appeal when the claim alleges deficient performance
with enough particularity for (1) an appellate court to make
a determination of whether the claim can be decided upon
the trial record and (2) a district court later reviewing a peti-
tion for postconviction relief to recognize whether the claim
was brought before the appellate court. 18 When a claim of
ineffective assistance of counsel is raised in a direct appeal,
the appellant is not required to allege prejudice; however,
an appellant must make specific allegations of the conduct
that he or she claims constitutes deficient performance by
trial counsel. 19
   [11] Once raised, an appellate court will determine whether
the record on appeal is sufficient to review the merits of
the ineffective performance claims. The record is sufficient
if it establishes either that trial counsel’s performance was
not deficient, that the appellant will not be able to estab-
lish prejudice as a matter of law, or that trial counsel’s
17
   State v. Thomas, 311 Neb. 989, 977 N.W.2d 258 (2022).
18
   State v. Miranda, 313 Neb. 358, 984 N.W.2d 261 (2023).
19
   Id.
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           Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
                    315 Nebraska Reports
                               STATE V. DAP
                            Cite as 315 Neb. 466

actions could not be justified as a part of any plausible trial
strategy. 20
   [12-14] To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance
of counsel under Strickland v. Washington, 21 the defendant
must show that counsel’s performance was deficient and that
this deficient performance actually prejudiced the defendant’s
defense. 22 To show that counsel’s performance was deficient,
the defendant must show counsel’s performance did not equal
that of a lawyer with ordinary training and skill in criminal
law. 23 To show prejudice from counsel’s deficient performance,
the defendant must demonstrate a reasonable probability that
but for counsel’s deficient performance, the result of the pro-
ceeding would have been different. 24
   With these standards and general principles in place, we turn
to the deficiencies alleged by Dap.

               (a) Failure to Communicate and
                Adequately Review Discovery
   Dap faults trial counsel’s failure to adequately meet and
review discovery materials with him. He asserts that he repeat-
edly asked trial counsel for discovery materials, but that
counsel only viewed discovery materials with him briefly.
Dap further contends that if counsel had “provided reports” to
him, he would have been in a better position to inform coun-
sel of any inaccuracies and to explain “potential defenses and
potential witnesses that could have testified to who had a gun
and in which direction shots were fired from it.” 25 Dap does
not identify any reports that would have aided his defense,
20
   Id.
21
   Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674
   (1984).
22
   State v. Allen, supra note 3.
23
   Id.
24
   Id.
25
   Brief for appellant at 19.
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                      315 Nebraska Reports
                                 STATE V. DAP
                              Cite as 315 Neb. 466

any inaccuracies that were contained therein, any potential
defenses, or any potential witnesses who would have testi-
fied either that someone other than Dap possessed the gun
or that it was not fired at the apartment building. Although
we have some doubt regarding whether Dap sufficiently pled
this claim, both parties assert that the record is insufficient to
review it.
   In the State’s brief, it alternatively asked this court to take
judicial notice of two trial court documents not contained in
the appellate record. However, at oral argument, the State
backed away from this request and correctly observed that it
could have submitted a supplemental transcript to make these
documents part of the appellate record. 26 We need not specu-
late whether it would ever be proper to use judicial notice
to expand the appellate record on direct appeal of a criminal
conviction where ineffective assistance of trial counsel is
assigned. Accordingly, we accept the parties’ statements that
the appellate record is insufficient to review Dap’s claims
related to counsel’s failure to adequately review discovery
with him.

                (b) Failure to Conduct Depositions
   Dap argues that his counsel performed deficiently by fail-
ing to depose Fugate and Roehrich. He asserts that there was
no strategic reason to avoid placing key witnesses under oath
prior to trial. The State responds that counsel cross-examined
Fugate and Roehrich at trial and that Dap did not assign that
the witnesses were not cross-examined effectively.
   Dap contends that Fugate should have been deposed because
she was the only witness to identify him. But he does not elab-
orate on how taking Fugate’s deposition would have aided his
case or, conversely, on how not taking her deposition harmed
his case.
26
     See Neb. Ct. R. App. P. § 2-104(C) (rev. 2022).
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              Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
                       315 Nebraska Reports
                                     STATE V. DAP
                                  Cite as 315 Neb. 466

   Dap asserts that if Roehrich had been deposed, Dap would
have learned before trial that there was another witness at
the scene who was not interviewed or identified as a possible
suspect. Again, Dap does not elaborate on how this informa-
tion would have helped his defense. And it is unclear to whom
Dap is referring: Roehrich testified about a “female that would
come down and walk right by [Dap] on the stairway” and
“a male” who emerged from “that apartment.” And although
Roehrich did not speak to this male, whom he referred to
as “Michael,” Roehrich testified that “they detained him.”
Presumably, an officer questioned the male in connection with
detaining him.
   There can be no doubt that Dap was aware of other wit-
nesses at the scene. Dap does not argue that he was not there.
He interacted with both the male and the female. During a
preliminary hearing—held 6 months prior to trial—Roehrich
testified that the female was with Dap and that other officers
identified her. He further testified that “there was another male
that was involved in their disturbance” and that other officers
secured the scene as Roehrich tried to obtain Dap’s coopera-
tion. We conclude that this claim is insufficiently pled.

             (c) Failure to Investigate and Attempt
                 to Develop Favorable Evidence
   Dap asserts that counsel provided ineffective assistance by
failing to investigate and develop evidence favorable to Dap.
According to Dap, “Had trial counsel met or communicated
with [Dap], they could have had meaningful conversations
about the State’s case against him, evaluated potential wit-
nesses and trial strategy.” 27 He contends that based on trial
testimony, one or two individuals were at the apartment
building but not identified or interviewed. Dap suggests that
“[e]ither one of these unnamed and unspoken to witnesses
may have been able to clear up issues regarding who in fact
27
     Brief for appellant at 18.
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                    315 Nebraska Reports
                              STATE V. DAP
                           Cite as 315 Neb. 466

possessed the gun and what direction the gun was fired.” 28
This appears to be directed toward the same individuals
discussed above in connection with Dap’s contention that
counsel should have deposed Roehrich. It fails for the same
reason. We conclude this claim is insufficiently pled.

                   (d) Advice To Not Testify
   Dap’s last assignment of ineffective assistance concerns
counsel’s advice that Dap not testify in his own behalf. Dap
asserts that he waived his right to testify because he relied on
counsel’s “greater knowledge and experience in trial strategy.” 29
According to Dap, he would have testified that he has never
owned a gun and that he did not have a gun on the night in
question. The record is insufficient to address this claim.

                     4. Cumulative Effect
   Finally, Dap argues that all of the errors establish that he did
not receive a fair trial. Long ago, we recognized the cumula-
tive error doctrine in the context of a criminal jury trial. 30 We
explained that while one or more errors, standing alone, may
not constitute reversible error, if their cumulative effect was to
deprive the defendant of a fair and impartial trial, a new trial
must be granted. 31
   [15] Here, Dap opted for a bench trial. In a case tried to
the court without a jury, there is a presumption that the trial
court, in reaching its decision, considered only evidence that
is competent and relevant, and this court will not overturn
such a decision where there is sufficient material, compe-
tent, and relevant evidence to sustain the judgment. 32 We
have found no merit to Dap’s assigned errors. His claims of
28
   Id. at 19.
29
   Id. at 21.
30
   See Wamsley v. State, 171 Neb. 197, 106 N.W.2d 22 (1960).
31
   See id.
32
   State v. Anders, 311 Neb. 958, 977 N.W.2d 234 (2022).
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             Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets
                      315 Nebraska Reports
                                  STATE V. DAP
                               Cite as 315 Neb. 466

ineffective assistance of counsel—which either are insuffi-
ciently pled or are unable to be addressed on direct appeal—
cannot form the basis for a claim of cumulative error. 33 The
cumulative error doctrine does not apply here.
                       VI. CONCLUSION
   We conclude that the evidence, viewed in the light most
favorable to the prosecution, supported Dap’s convictions for
possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and for unlaw-
ful discharge of a firearm and that the court did not abuse its
discretion in overruling Dap’s motion for a new trial. We fur-
ther conclude that Dap’s allegations of ineffective assistance
of counsel either are insufficiently pled or cannot be resolved
on direct appeal and that the cumulative error doctrine pro-
vides no basis for relief. Accordingly, we affirm the district
court’s judgment.
                                                   Affirmed.
   Stacy, J., participating on briefs.
33
     See, id.; State v. Stelly, 304 Neb. 33, 932 N.W.2d 857 (2019).