Bright (Jasper) v. State

Nev. 53, 56, 825 P.2d. 571, 573 (1992), and the jury's verdict will not be disturbed on appeal where, as here, substantial evidence supports the verdict, see NRS 453.337; NRS 453.3385(3); Bolden v. State, 97 Nev. 71, 73, 624 P.2d 20, 20 (1981). Second, Bright argues that the district court abused its discretion by denying his motion for a mistrial because the State claimed in its opening statement that Bright gave a fake name to law enforcement and no witness testified to such at trial. Bright is mistaken. Officer Anton Gorup testified that Bright gave his name as "Michael Harris" to either himself or another officer. Bright did not object and this testimony and was not stricken from the record. We conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion by denying Bright's request for a mistrial on this ground. 1 See Rudin, 120 Nev. at 142-44, 86 P.3d at 586-87 (noting that a defendant's request for a mistrial may be granted where "prejudice occurs that prevents the defendant from receiving a fair trial," and giving deference to a district court's decision whether a mistrial is warranted). Third, Bright argues that the district court abused its discretion by denying his motion for a mistrial because evidence was presented at trial that was not provided to the defense in violation of discovery orders and Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963). We review a district court's resolution of a Brady claim de novo, Mazzan v. Warden, 116 Nev. 48, 66, 993 P.2d 25, 36 (2000), and a district court's enforcement of 'We note that the district court incorrectly used the "manifest necessity" or "manifest injustice" standard when ruling on Bright's multiple motions for mistrials. Nonetheless, we will affirm the district court's rulings if it reached the correct result. See Rudin v. State, 120 Nev. 121, 142, 86 P.3d 572, 586 (2004). SUPREME COURT OF NEVADA (0) I947A 2 discovery orders for an abuse of discretion, Evans v. State, 117 Nev. 609, 638, 28 P.3d 498, 518 (2001). Bright contends that the State failed to turn over an administrative subpoena which established that he owned a cell phone found at the scene. Because there is not a reasonable possibility that the verdict would have been different had the evidence been timely turned over, see Mazzan, 116 Nev. at 66, 67, 993 P.2d at 36, 37 (summarizing the three components of a Brady violation), and Bright failed to demonstrate prejudice or that the State acted in bad faith, see Evans, 117 Nev. at 638, 28 P.3d at 518, we conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion by denying Bright's motion for a mistrial on these grounds. See Rudin, 120 Nev. at 142, 86 P.3d at 586. Fourth, Bright argues that the district court abused its discretion by denying his motion for a mistrial when the arresting police officer stated that a confidential informant identified the defendant. 2 Bright contends that a mistrial was warranted because the statement was hearsay and he was unable to cross-examine the informant in violation of his right to confrontation. The district court concluded that a mistrial was not warranted because Bright opened the door to this testimony by asking questions regarding the confidential informant—even after being cautioned by the district court about doing so—and by asking the question which prompted the officer's response. We agree, and conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion by denying Bright's request for a 2 Tothe extent that Bright contends that the district court abused its discretion by denying his request to dismiss the charges against him outright, he fails to support this claim with any relevant authority or cogent argument and therefore we decline to consider it. See Maresca v. State, 103 Nev. 669, 673, 748 P.2d 3, 6 (1987). SUPREME COURT OF NEVADA (0) 1947A 3 mistrial. See Rudin, 120 Nev. at 142, 86 P.3d at 586; see also United States v. Lopez-Medina, 596 F.3d 716, 733 (10th Cir. 2010) (noting that "a defendant can open the door to the admission of evidence otherwise barred by the Confrontation Clause," and discussing cases). Fifth, Bright argues that cumulative error entitles him to relief. Because we have found no error, this claim lacks merit. Accordingly, we ORDER the judgment of conviction AFFIRMED. 3 GH LYbons Dougl Saitta cc: Hon. Valorie J. Vega, District Judge Clark County Public Defender Attorney General/Carson City Clark County District Attorney Eighth District Court Clerk We note that appellant's fast track statement does not contain 3 adequate citation to the appendix. See NRAP 3C(e)(1)(c). We caution appellant's counsel, Kedric A. Bassett, that future failure to comply with the Nevada Rules of Appellate Procedure when filing briefs with this court may result in the imposition of sanctions. See NRAP 3C(n). SUPREME COURT OF NEVADA (0) 1947A 4 '