Smith v. Baca

• Court: District Court, D. Nevada
• Decided: January 23, 2020
• Docket: 3:14-cv-00512
• Status: Unknown

Opinion

3 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

4 DISTRICT OF NEVADA

5 * * *

6 JACOB SMITH, Case No. 3:14-cv-00512-MMD-CLB

7 Petitioner, ORDER v. 8

9 ISIDRO BACA, et al.,

10 Respondents.

11 12 I. SUMMARY 13 Petitioner Jacob Smith, a Nevada prisoner, filed a counseled first amended petition 14 for writ of habeas corpus (“Amended Petition”) (ECF No. 18) pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 15 § 22541. This matter comes before the Court for a final decision. For the reasons 16 discussed below, the Court denies the Amended Petition. 17 II. BACKGROUND 18 Smith challenges a 2007 judgment of conviction entered by the Second Judicial 19 District Court for Washoe County (“state district court” or “trial court”), pursuant to a jury 20 verdict, for the first-degree murder of Richard Duarte with a deadly weapon. On May 9, 21 2006, Duarte was killed in Sparks, Nevada, by a gunshot wound to the head. (ECF No. 22- 22 15 at 2.) Smith was sentenced to a term of life without the possibility of parole with a like 23 consecutive term for the weapon enhancement. (ECF No. 22-6.) Smith appealed, and the 24 Nevada Supreme Court affirmed in May 2009. (ECF No. 22-15.) 25 Smith filed a state petition for writ of habeas corpus seeking post-conviction relief. 26 (ECF No. 23.) The state district court denied relief. (ECF No. 23-10.) Smith appealed, and 27

28 1 Respondents have filed an answer (ECF No. 36), and Smith has replied (ECF No. 39). 2 In October 2014, Smith initiated this federal habeas corpus proceeding pro se. 3 (ECF No. 1.) The Court appointed counsel to represent him. (ECF No. 5.) Counsel filed 4 the amended petition in May 2016. Respondents then sought dismissal (ECF No. 24), 5 which the Court denied and ordered Respondents to file an answer. (ECF No. 30.) 6 III. STANDARD OF REVIEW 7 The standard of review generally applicable in habeas corpus cases is set forth is 8 the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (“AEDPA”): 9 An application for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of a person in custody pursuant to the judgment of a State court shall not be granted with respect 10 to any claim that was adjudicated on the merits in State court proceedings unless the adjudication of the claim – 11 (1) resulted in a decision that was contrary to, or involved an 12 unreasonable application of, clearly established Federal law, as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States; or 13 (2) resulted in a decision that was based on an unreasonable 14 determination of the facts in light of the evidence presented in the State court proceeding. 15

16 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d). A state court decision is “contrary to” clearly established federal law 17 if it applies a rule that contradicts the governing law established in Supreme Court cases 18 or if the decision addresses facts materially indistinguishable from a Supreme Court case 19 but reaches a different conclusion. Brown v. Payton, 544 U.S. 133, 141 (2005). A state 20 court decision is an unreasonable application of clearly established Supreme Court 21 precedent “if the state court identifies the correct governing legal principle from [the 22 Supreme] Court’s decisions but unreasonably applies that principle to the facts of the 23 prisoner’s case.” Lockyer v. Andrade, 538 U.S. 63, 75 (2003) (quotation omitted). “[C]learly 24 established Federal law for purposes of § 2254(d)(1) includes only the holdings, as 25 opposed to the dicta, of [the Supreme] Court’s decisions.” White v. Woodall, 572 U.S. 415, 26 419 (2014) (quotation omitted). An “ ‘unreasonable application of’ those holdings must be 27 ‘objectively unreasonable,’ not merely wrong; even ‘clear error’ will not suffice.” Id. (quoting 28 Lockyer, 538 U.S. at 75–76). Where no Supreme Court decision squarely addresses “the 2 contrary to, nor an unreasonable application of, Supreme Court precedent. Lopez v. 3 Smith, 574 U.S. 1, 4 (2014) (per curiam). 4 To obtain federal habeas relief, “‘a state prisoner must show that the state court’s 5 ruling on the claim being presented in federal court was so lacking in justification that there 6 was an error well understood and comprehended in existing law beyond any possibility for 7 fairminded disagreement’.” White, 572 U.S. at 419–20 (quoting Harrington v. Richter, 562 8 U.S. 86, 103 (2011)). The Supreme Court has explained “that even a strong case for relief 9 does not mean the state court’s contrary conclusion was unreasonable.” Richter, 562 U.S. 10 at 102 (citing Lockyer, 538 U.S. at 75); see also Cullen v. Pinholster, 563 U.S. 170, 181 11 (2011) (describing the standard as a “difficult to meet” and “highly deferential,” which 12 “demands that state-court decisions be given the benefit of the doubt” (internal quotation 13 marks and citations omitted)). When a state court summarily rejects a claim, it is the 14 petitioner’s burden to show that “there was no reasonable basis for the state court to deny 15 relief.” Richter, 562 U.S. at 98. 16 IV. DISCUSSION 17 The Amended Petition asserts five grounds for relief. (ECF No. 18 at 11–25.) The 18 Court will address each ground in turn. 19 A. Ground 1 – Right to Self-Representation 20 Smith’s Amended Petition contends: 21 The Trial Court Denied Smith his Right to Self-Representation, in Violation of Smith’s Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights, by Denying 22 Smith’s Unequivocal Request for Self-Representation Based on Smith’s Incomplete Knowledge of Legal Proceedings Which is an Improper Basis for 23 the Denial. 24 (ECF No. 18 at 11.)2 25

26 2Although the headings in the Amended Petition and reply state that Ground 1 is based on violations of Smith’s rights under the Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments, 27 Smith’s arguments for this claim only address the right to self-representation under the Sixth Amendment. (See ECF No. 18 at 11–15; ECF No. 39 at 5–12.) Given that Smith 28 presents no principled argument in support of claims under the other amendments, the Court limits its analysis to the Sixth Amendment. 2 In March 2007, Smith invoked his right to self-representation at the justice court 3 level before his preliminary hearing. (ECF No. 19-7 at 5–14.) The justice court conducted 4 a Faretta canvass of Smith and then stated that argument would be heard. (Id. at 14–24.) 5 THE COURT: Okay. I think we’ve been through everything we need to go through. Okay, I will hear argument, Mr. Smith. 6 THE DEFENDANT: Argument that says I want this case dismissed. 7 THE COURT: No. On why you should be able to represent yourself. 8 THE DEFENDANT: Because that’s my right, my constitutional right, I want 9 to represent myself . . ..

10 THE COURT: The question before me is whether the defendant should be allowed to represent himself at this stage of the proceedings . . . [a]nd 11 basically I have to ask the following questions.

12 First, does the defendant appear to understand the nature of the proceedings? I believe he does. I think clearly from his ability to answer the 13 questions coherently, he. does.

14 Secondly, is he voluntarily exercising an informed free will? I think his will is free. My problem here is I don’t know how informed the defendant is. I don’t 15 think he understands the significance of the proceeding as expressed when I asked him to argue to the Court in support of his motion, because I said: 16 Mr. Smith, argue. His response was that he wanted to argue for his case to be dismissed. And that right there shows me that he does not understand 17 the nature of the legal proceedings.

18 So at this time I’m going to deny your motion. You can remake the motion before the District Court if this case proceeds further, if there is sufficient 19 evidence to hold you, so that you don’t necessarily lose anything.

20 (Id. at 24–27 (emphasis added).) Thereafter, the preliminary hearing went forward, and 21 the justice court bound the case over to the state district court for trial. (Id. at 127–28.) 22 In May 2007, two weeks before trial, Smith complained to the trial court that he 23 “never talked to [his] lawyer.” (ECF No. 19-10 at 5.) The judge responded, “I hear stuff like 24 that all the time, and it’s pretty obvious . . . that you two have talked . . . Maybe he’s not 25 saying what you want him to hear, but I’m positive that you have talked.” (Id.) 26 On the first day of trial, June 4, 2007, defense counsel informed the trial court that 27 Smith wanted to make a record regarding counsel’s representation. (ECF No. 20 at 5.) 28 Smith again complained about his counsel: me. And I tried to voice this opinion already, and they’re still representing 2 me. I’ve received really no help. 3 I’ve tried to offer them notes. They never took my notes. I don’t know what my exact defense is in this case. I just I feel they’re not helping me. They 4 filed no motions. And I wanted to file some motions, but anything that I do, my understanding, would be through a fugitive document. 5 So I just want to put on the record that I feel this is ineffective assistance of 6 my counsel. That’s pretty much it. 7 (Id. at 5–6.) Smith also told the judge, “I just don’t feel we’re prepared for trial at all. . . . 8 And I just – I feel misrepresented.” (Id. at 10.) 9 As the parties continued to discuss whether the defense was ready for trial, defense 10 counsel reminded the judge that Smith previously attempted to waive counsel and 11 represent himself during the justice court proceeding: 12 MR. CALVERT: Mr. Smith made a motion at the preliminary hearing to represent himself, and a Faretta hearing was handled on that, and it was 13 denied at that time. 14 I got information through my investigator that it appeared Mr. Smith still wanted to pursue representing himself, and so we raised that issue at the 15 arraignment phase. 16 I don’t know if you remember when we were in here. He told me before the case was actually called that he didn’t want to do that anymore. So we went 17 through an arraignment in which the Court had to enter a plea of not guilty on his behalf and set a trial date for him within 60 days. 18 19 (Id. at 6–7.) The prosecutor also noted that Smith requested self-representation and a 20 speedy trial during the justice court proceedings. (Id. at 11.) He understood that Smith was 21 no longer seeking to waive counsel, but Smith did not waive his speedy trial right. (Id. at 22 12 (stating, “after [Smith] was bound over, as I understand from Mr. Calvert, he is no longer 23 requesting to represent himself”).) The prosecutor expressed his belief that “Smith 24 probably would never be happy” with his counsel and asked that the trial proceed as 25 scheduled. (Id. at 13–14.) Smith denied the prosecutor’s assertion, claiming “I never had 26 a conflict with them.” (Id. at 15.) The state district court denied a continuance and the trial 27 began the same day. (Id. at 16–17.) 28 2 background and held as follows: 3 A preliminary examination was held on March 29, 2007, in the Justice Court of Sparks Township. During the preliminary hearing, the district court heard 4 Smith’s motion to waive counsel and represent himself.

5 Justice of the Peace Mary Kandaras conducted a self-representation canvass at the preliminary hearing. After conducting the canvass, Kandaras 6 denied Smith’s motion to represent himself because she determined that Smith was not legally qualified to represent himself. Upon the denial of 7 Smith’s motion, Kandaras conducted a preliminary hearing and bound Smith over for trial. 8 Smith argues that the justice court abused its discretion in denying his 9 motion and request to represent himself, which forced continued legal representation upon him. Smith further argues that the justice court abused 10 its discretion because it denied his motion based on the belief that he did not understand the nature or significance of the legal proceedings. Smith 11 contends that the justice court’s stated reason for denying his motion for self- representation was in violation of our holding in Graves v. State, 112 Nev. 12 118, 124, 912 P.2d 234, 238 (1996) (holding that when conducting a canvas, the only question for the court to examine is whether the defendant 13 “competently and intelligently” chose self-representation, not whether he was able to “competently and intelligently’” represent himself). Smith 14 therefore argues that because the justice court abused its discretion, his conviction in the district court is invalid. 15 Without conceding that Smith’s argument is correct, the State argues that 16 Smith waived his right to self-representation by failing to renew his motion to waive counsel at the district court level. The State further contends that by 17 failing to renew his motion Smith acquiesced to his publicly appointed counsel because the justice court informed him of his right to renew the 18 motion. We agree with the State’s argument in light of our recent decision in Hooks v. State, 124 Nev._ [sic], 176 P.3d 1081, 1086–87 (2008) (holding 19 that it was reversible error for a district court to fail to perform a Faretta canvass when a criminal defendant asserted the right to self-representation 20 even if a canvass had been performed by the justice court).

21 In reviewing a lower court’s denial of a motion to waive counsel and represent one’s self, we will reverse a conviction only if the court abused its 22 discretion. See Gallego v. State, 117 Nev. 348, 362, 23 P.3d 227, 236–37 (2001). 23 A criminal defendant has an unqualified right to self-representation under 24 U.S. Const. amend. VI and Nev. Const. art. 1 §8, as long as the defendant has given a “voluntary and intelligent waiver of the right to counsel.” Lyons 25 v. State, 106 Nev. 438, 443, 796 P.2d 210, 213 (1990) (abrogated on other grounds by Vanisi v. State, 117 Nev. 330, 22 P.3d 1164 (2001)). “However, 26 a defendant may be denied his right to self-representation where his request is untimely, the request is equivocal, the request is made solely for the 27 purpose of delay, the defendant abuses his right by disrupting the judicial process, or the defendant is incompetent to waive his right to counsel.” 28 Tanksley v. State, 113 Nev. 997, 1001, 946 P.2d 148, 150 (1997). When a criminal defendant chooses self-representation in Nevada, district 2 courts are required to instruct defendants pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 253, which sets forth numerous factors relevant to a defendant’s decision to 3 waive his right to counsel. Specifically, SCR 253 requires the district court to conduct a “canvass” of the defendant to determine whether the defendant 4 understands the consequences of his/her decision, and whether the decision of the defendant is given voluntarily. A district court abuses its discretion if it 5 fails to perform a canvass under SCR 253 when a criminal defendant asserts the right to self-representation. The district court is required to conduct a 6 canvass under SCR 253 when a criminal defendant asserts his right to self- representation, even if a canvass was previously performed by the justice 7 court and failure to do so constitutes an abuse of discretion. Hooks at _ [sic], 176 P.3d at 1086–87. 8 However, when a motion for self-representation has been made in the justice 9 court, a criminal defendant must reassert a claim to self-representation at the district court level. Although Smith asserted his right to self- 10 representation in the justice court, and the justice court arguably erred in denying his motion, Smith failed to reassert his right in the district court even 11 after the justice court told him he had the right to do so. Without an affirmative assertion of his right, the district court has no reason to perform 12 a canvass. Therefore, the district court had no obligation to act without Smith’s assertion of his right. Thus, we conclude that Smith’s failure to 13 reassert his claim to self-representation in the district court was a waiver of his Sixth Amendment right to self-representation. 14 (ECF No. 22-15 at 3–6.) 15 2. The Parties’ Positions on Ground 1 16 Smith asserts that “state trial court” violated his constitutional rights by denying his 17 request for self-representation. (ECF No. 18 at 15.) He claims the justice court incorrectly 18 found that he did not understand the significance of the proceeding; thus, his motion to 19 waive counsel was erroneously denied and his right to self-representation was violated. 20 (Id. at 11–13.) According to Smith, the record shows he was competent and voluntarily 21 exercised his informed free will; thus, the justice court erred in denying his request based 22 on his lack of legal ability. He further argues that he reiterated his desire for self- 23 representation to the trial court by complaining that his attorneys were not adequately 24 assisting him, yet the court disregarded the complaints. (Id. at 14 (“In the end, Smith goes 25 to trial with attorneys he did not want, he did not trust, and with whom he had developed 26 an irreconcilable relationship.”) Smith claims he held fast to the desire to represent himself, 27 and his Faretta right was violated. (Id. at 15.) This violation, Smith asserts, constitutes 28 2 Respondents argue that the Nevada Supreme Court did not unreasonably apply 3 constitutional standards when it found that Smith’s failure to reassert a request for self- 4 representation in the state district court was a waiver of his Faretta right. (ECF No. 36 at 5 3–4.) They point out that the Nevada Supreme Court’s factual findings are presumed 6 correct, and an express finding of waiver was made. Respondents contend that there is 7 no established federal law requiring state courts to assert a defendant’s right to self- 8 representation when he fails to do so. Because Smith failed to assert his Faretta right after 9 he was bound over for trial, Respondents insist that the state district court had no reason 10 to canvass Smith on his ability or desire to proceed without counsel, and the Nevada 11 Supreme Court did not unreasonably apply Faretta. 12 3. Analysis of Ground 1 13 The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to assistance of defense counsel in all 14 criminal prosecutions. U.S. Cost. amend. VI. The Sixth Amendment also encompasses 15 the right to self-representation at trial and to refuse the assistance of counsel. Faretta, 422 16 U.S. at 834. Because the right to counsel is guaranteed, a defendant’s exercise of the 17 right to self-representation necessarily requires a valid waiver of the right to counsel. 18 Sandoval. v. Calderon, 241 F.3d 765, 774 (9th Cir. 2001) (noting that “the right to self- 19 representation does not attach until asserted,” unlike the right to counsel which “attaches 20 unless affirmatively waived”). A waiver of the right to counsel must be unequivocal 21 because that right is “automatic,” and the assistance of counsel must be available whether 22 the defendant has requested such assistance or not. Adams v. Carroll, 875 F.2d 1441, 23 1444 (9th Cir. 1989) (citing Brewer v. Williams, 430 U.S. 387, 404 (1977)). 24 The Ninth Circuit has referred to the right to self-representation as “disfavored” 25 when compared to the important benefits expressly offered by the right to counsel. 26 Sandoval, 241 F.3d at 774. A court may properly deny a defendant’s request for self- 27 representation “if the Faretta demand is untimely, equivocal, made for the purpose of 28 delay, or is not knowingly and intelligently made.” Id. Supreme Court precedent has also 2 California, 528 U.S. 152, 154 (2000) (holding that Faretta does not extend to a defendant 3 on direct appeal from a criminal conviction); McKaskle v. Wiggins, 465 U.S. 168, 182–83 4 (1984) (a pro se defendant may waive his Faretta rights by agreeing or acquiescing to 5 standby counsel’s unsolicited participation at trial)). 6 Smith has not shouldered his burden of establishing that the Nevada Supreme 7 Court’s decision rejecting his Faretta claim was contrary to or an unreasonable application 8 of clearly established federal law. The Nevada Supreme Court held that, even if the justice 9 court erred in denying his motion, Smith was required to renew his Faretta request at the 10 district court level, but he “failed to reassert his right in the district court even after the 11 justice court told him he had the right to do so.” (ECF No. 22-15 at 5–6.) The record amply 12 supports the Nevada Supreme Court’s conclusion that Smith waived his Faretta right by 13 failing to renew a request for self-representation during the state district court proceedings. 14 During two hearings before the trial court, the parties referenced Smith’s initial request for 15 self-representation, albeit in the context of Smith’s perceived shortcomings of defense 16 counsel. (ECF No. 19-9 at 4; ECF No. 20 at 5–17.) Smith directly addressed the trial court 17 in both hearings but did not renew the Faretta motion. (Id.) In fact, on the first day of trial, 18 both defense counsel and the prosecutor expressly informed the trial court that Smith no 19 longer wished to represent himself. (ECF No. 20 at 6–12.) Smith said nothing to refute 20 counsel or the prosecutor’s statements and explicitly denied having any conflict with 21 counsel. (Id. at 15.) 22 Requiring a defendant to reassert his right to self-representation before the trial 23 court comports with Faretta’s safeguard that a defendant unequivocally waive his right to 24 counsel. See Faretta, 422 U.S. at 835; Adams, 875 F.2d at 1444. Smith claims he 25 reiterated his desire for self-representation before the trial court. (ECF No. 39 at 7–8 (citing 26 (ECF No. 20 at 5).) However, the cited portion of the trial transcript demonstrates that 27 Smith did not clearly request or express any desire for self-representation. Complaining 28 about one’s counsel is not a request for self-representation. Because Smith never 2 waiver was a reasonable determination of the facts. 3 In light of the facts and foregoing authorities, the Nevada Supreme Court’s ruling 4 was not contrary to, nor an unreasonable application of, clearly established federal law, 5 and was not based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence. 6 See 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d). Ground 1 provides no basis for habeas relief. 7 4. New Claim Regarding the Justice Court’s Denial of Smith’s 8 Faretta Motion 9 Upon careful review of Smith’s arguments and appellate briefs, it appears that his 10 reply presents a new claim—the justice court’s erroneous denial of Smith’s motion for self- 11 representation violated his Faretta right, which encompasses a right to self-representation 12 at a preliminary hearing. Smith argues in his reply that both Respondents and the Nevada 13 Supreme Court failed to address his argument that he was entitled to represent himself at 14 his preliminary hearing. (ECF No. 39 at 9–12.) He maintains that his request for self- 15 representation in the justice court met the Faretta standard as it was unequivocal, 16 knowing, and voluntary; thus, “the court’s denial of his request to represent himself violated 17 his right to conduct his own defense at his preliminary hearing.” (ECF No. 39 at 8–9 18 (emphasis added).) Smith claims the denial of self-representation at his preliminary 19 hearing is structural error that cannot be deemed harmless and the Nevada Supreme 20 Court’s decision is both contrary to and an unreasonable application of Faretta. 21 The pleading standard for federal habeas petitions is “more demanding” than the 22 notice pleading standard applied in other civil cases. Mayle v. Felix, 545 U.S. 644, 655 23 (2005) (noting that Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a) requires only “fair notice” while Habeas Rule 2(c)3 24 demands more—“it is the relationship of the facts to the claim asserted that is important”). 25 Rule 2(c) “requires a more detailed statement,” as it “instructs the petitioner to ‘specify all 26 the grounds for relief available to [him]’ and to ‘state the facts supporting each ground’.” 27

28 3All references to a “Habeas Rule” or the “Habeas Rules” in this order identify the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases in the United States District Courts. 2 Cacoperdo v. Demosthenes, 37 F.3d 504, 507 (9th Cir. 1994). Moreover, a petitioner may 3 not pursue claims that were not previously exhausted in the state courts as he must fairly 4 present both the operative facts and federal legal theories supporting his claims. 28 U.S.C. 5 § 2254(b)(1)(A). 6 Smith’s new claim differs from what he presented in the Amended Petition and on 7 direct appeal. The Amended Petition discusses the justice court’s denial of his Faretta 8 motion but claims the trial court violated Smith’s Faretta right. (ECF No. 18 at 11–15.) 9 Smith’s opening brief to the Nevada Supreme Court also discusses the justice court’s 10 denial of his Faretta motion, claiming the trial court “refused to continue the trial” and “[n]o 11 Faretta canvas was ever given” despite Smith’s repeated complaints of inadequate 12 assistance of counsel. (ECF No. 22-12 at 12–13.) The brief paraphrases Faretta and 13 states, “[i]t is no answer to the [Smith’s] challenge to say that he acquiesced in accepting 14 his court-appointed counsel.” (Id. at 16.) The appellate reply brief reiterates that he did not 15 acquiesce to representation by court-appointed counsel. (ECF No. 22-14 at 8.) Nowhere 16 in the amended petition or appellate briefs did Smith argue that his Faretta right extended 17 to his preliminary hearing and was violated when the justice court denied his motion. 18 Smith’s federal reply clearly presents a discrete legal theory alleging that the justice 19 court violated his right to self-representation at his preliminary hearing by denying his 20 Faretta motion. The reply focuses on Supreme Court precedent holding that the right to 21 counsel applies at all critical stages of prosecution, and the preliminary hearing is a critical 22 stage.4 Smith did not cite to any of these cases in his Amended Petition or appellate briefs. 23 A claim that a defendant was denied the right of self-representation at a preliminary 24 hearing is markedly different from a claim that a defendant was denied the right of self- 25 representation at trial. As such, the new claim was not fairly presented to the state courts 26 and is therefore unexhausted. See Picard v. Connor, 404 U.S. 270, 277–78 (1971). 27

28 4ECF No. 39 at 9 (citing Marshall v. Rodgers, 569 U.S. 58, 62 (2013); Iowa v. Tovar, 541 U.S. 77, 80–81 (2004); Coleman v. Alabama, 399 U.S. 1, 9–10 (1970)). 2 state courts and properly presented in the Amended Petition, it would be subject to 3 deferential review under AEDPA. Where a state court addresses claims in a written 4 decision but does not expressly address all of the claims a petitioner presented, deferential 5 review under AEDPA still applies to review of the state court’s implicit rejection of the 6 claims that were not discussed. Johnson v. Williams, 568 U.S. 289, 300–01 (2013). A 7 federal court “must determine what arguments or theories . . . could have supported the 8 state court’s decision; and then it must ask whether it is possible fairminded jurists could 9 disagree that those arguments or theories are inconsistent with the holding in a prior 10 decision of this Court.” Richter, 562 U.S. at 102. “If such disagreement is possible, then 11 the petitioner’s claim must be denied.” Sexton v. Beaudreaux, 138 S. Ct. 2555, 2558 12 (2018). Applying this deferential standard, the Court finds that Smith’s new claim would 13 not entitle him to relief. 14 Smith’s new claim rests on two premises: (1) the Faretta right to self-representation 15 encompasses a preliminary hearing, and (2) a violation of the right to self-representation 16 at the preliminary hearing stage is structural error. Neither premise is clearly established 17 under Supreme Court precedent. 18 First, the Nevada Supreme Court could have held that Faretta’s general principle 19 about the right to self-representation at trial does not establish a clearly specific rule 20 regarding self-representation at a preliminary hearing. See Lopez, 574 U.S. at 4. Faretta 21 only explicitly addressed a defendant’s request to represent himself at trial. 422 U.S. at 22 807–11, 815–16 (noting “that a defendant has a constitutionally protected right to 23 represent himself in a criminal trial” (emphasis added)). The Supreme Court has not 24 established that the right to self-representation extends to pre-trial proceedings such as 25 preliminary hearings. E.g., Martinez, 528 U.S. at 154 (Faretta’s “specific holding was 26 confined to the right to defend oneself at trial” (emphasis added)); Nero v. Allison, 757 F. 27 Supp. 2d 971, 975 (C.D. Cal. 2010) (denying petitioner’s § 2254 claim that his right to self- 28 2 the preliminary hearing). Smith points to no Supreme Court case holding as much. 3 Second, even assuming that the justice court erroneously denied Smith’s Faretta 4 motion, the Nevada Supreme Court could have held that such error is not structural, thus 5 requiring automatic reversal, and concluded that justice court’s error was harmless. 6 Faretta and its progeny have not established that, on federal habeas review, an erroneous 7 denial of self-representation at the preliminary hearing stage is structural error and 8 precluded from harmless error analysis. For purposes of federal habeas, “[m]ost 9 constitutional mistakes call for reversal only if the government cannot demonstrate 10 harmlessness.” Glebe v. Frost, 574 U.S. 21, 23 (2014) (citing Neder v. United States, 527 11 U.S. 1, 8 (1999)) (emphasis in original). On direct review, clearly established federal law 12 provides that a denial of the Faretta right at trial is structural error and is not subject to 13 harmless error analysis. McKaskle, 465 U.S. at 177 n.8. However, there is no Supreme 14 Court precedent pronouncing that, on federal habeas review, an erroneous denial of the 15 right to self-representation at a preliminary hearing is structural error. Smith cites no 16 Supreme Court case to support his assertion. And he does not attempt to challenge any 17 implicit harmless-error determination in the Nevada Supreme Court’s decision. 18 Given the lack of specific Supreme Court case law supporting Smith’s new claim, 19 the Nevada Supreme Court could have concluded that there is no right of self- 20 representation at a preliminary hearing and any error by the justice court was harmless. 21 Fairminded jurists could disagree whether such a holding is inconsistent with prior 22 Supreme Court precedent. Because disagreement is possible, Smith’s claim must be 23 denied. See Beaudreaux, 138 S. Ct. at 2558. The Nevada Supreme Court’s implicit 24 rejection of Smith’s new claim was neither contrary to nor an unreasonable application of 25 clearly established federal law as determined by the U.S. Supreme Court based on the 26 record and argument presented to that court. 27 28 2 In Grounds 2 through 4, Smith argues that the Washoe County District Attorney 3 committed various acts of misconduct. The standard set forth in Darden v. Wainwright, 4 477 U.S. 168 (1986), is the “clearly established law” governing claims of prosecutorial 5 misconduct for purposes of habeas review under AEDPA. Parker v. Matthews, 567 U.S. 6 37, 45 (2012). “[A] prosecutor’s improper comments will be held to violate the Constitution 7 only if they ‘so infected the trial with unfairness as to make the resulting conviction a denial 8 of due process’.” Id. (quoting Darden, 477 U.S. at 181). Darden explained “it is not enough 9 that the prosecutor’s remarks were undesirable or even universally condemned.” 477 U.S. 10 at 180–81 (quoting Donnelly v. DeChristoforo, 416 U.S. 637, 643 (1974)). To determine 11 whether a prosecutor’s comments rise to the level of a due process violation, a reviewing 12 court must examine the entire proceedings and place the prosecutor’s remarks in their 13 proper context. Boyde v. California, 494 U.S. 370, 384–85 (1990); Smith v. Phillips, 455 14 U.S. 209, 219 (1982) (“[T]he touchstone of due process analysis in cases of alleged 15 prosecutorial misconduct is the fairness of the trial, not the culpability of the prosecutor.”). 16 The Darden standard “is a very general one, leaving courts ‘more leeway . . . in 17 reaching outcomes in case-by-case determinations.’” Parker, 567 U.S. at 48 (quoting 18 Yarborough v. Alvarado, 541 U.S. 652, 664 (2004)). Nevertheless, AEDPA “recognizes 19 . . . that even a general standard may be applied in an unreasonable manner.” Panetti v. 20 Quarterman, 551 U.S. 930, 953 (2007). Federal courts may find “an application of a 21 principle unreasonable when it involves a set of facts different from those of the case in 22 which the principle was announced.” Id. 23 1. Ground 2 – Coercion and Intimidation of Witnesses 24 Smith argues that prosecutors committed misconduct by allowing detectives to 25 coerce and intimidate potentially exculpatory witnesses Natalie Wolfe, Smith’s girlfriend, 26 and Joshua Wolfe, her brother. He claims his Sixth Amendment right to compulsory 27 28 2 Smith’s counsel did not invoke the rule of exclusion before trial.6 As a result, two 3 investigating detectives sat in the courtroom throughout trial. Both Natalie and Joshua 4 testified at the preliminary hearing and at trial. Natalie was extensively questioned at trial 5 about her inconsistent statements to the police. (ECF No. 20-1 at 174–202, ECF No. 21 6 at 8–53.) She admitted that she initially lied to the police and they told her she was lying. 7 (ECF No. 21 at 24.) She testified that the detectives threatened to take her children away 8 and charge her with a crime, such as perjury, aiding and abetting, or being an accessory 9 to Duarte’s murder, if she did not cooperate with the police or later changed her statement. 10 (Id. at 24–28.) However, she also testified that the threats did not change her testimony. 11 (Id. at 52–53 (“Q. But what I’m saying is: Did it change your testimony in any way 12 yesterday? Did it make you tell a lie? A. No. I told the same thing. . . . Q. Well, it didn’t 13 affect your testimony. Would you agree with that? A. Right.”).) Joshua was also examined 14 about his inconsistent statements to the police. (ECF No. 21 at 231–52; ECF No. 21-1 at 15 2–20.) He testified that he was initially “leaving stuff out,” which prompted detectives to 16 pressure him “to tell the truth,” but no one subsequently pressured him to change his story, 17 and he had not done so. (ECF No. 21 at 250.) Joshua further testified that he saw a vehicle 18 driven by an unidentified African-American male arrive at the scene (id. at 240–42), which 19 supported Smith’s alternative theory that unidentified African-American male shot Duarte. 20 On direct appeal, the Nevada Supreme Court summarily concluded that this claim 21 22 5Smith further asserts in passing that his rights to equal protection and a fair trial 23 were violated. (ECF No. 18 at 16; see also ECF No. 22 at 23–24, Direct Appeal Opening Brief (alleging violations of the “federal constitutional guarantees of due process, equal 24 protection of the laws, a fair trial, and a reliable sentence due to State’s witnesses intimidating witnesses” (citing U.S. Const. V, VI, VIII & XIV).) However, Smith’s arguments 25 for this claim only address the rights to compulsory process and due process. (ECF No. 18 at 17–18; ECF No. 39 at 13–15.) As such, the Court limits its analysis to compulsory 26 process and due process. See also, supra, note 1.

27 6Defense counsel attempted to invoke the exclusionary rule after Natalie began testifying, but the state district court held that it was “too late” and denied the motion. (ECF 28 No. 20-1 at 183–86.) 2 Here, Smith claims the detectives’ presence coerced Natalie and caused her to 3 alter her testimony in a manner unfavorable to Smith. (ECF No. 18 at 15–18.) He argues 4 that the detectives also threatened Joshua. Respondents counter that Smith fails to show 5 any misconduct by the prosecution or law enforcement. (ECF No. 36 at 4–6.) They argue 6 that the parties thoroughly examined Natalie at trial on whether she lied to the police and 7 whether she felt intimidated by the detectives’ presence in the courtroom, and she testified 8 that the detectives’ conduct did not change her testimony. Respondents further point out 9 that Joshua did, in fact, testify on Smith’s behalf at trial. Smith replies that by allowing 10 detectives to engage in misconduct, the prosecution violated its heightened duty to ensure 11 the fairness and integrity of trial proceedings. (ECF No. 39 at 13–15.)8 12 The Compulsory Process Clause of the Sixth Amendment provides an accused 13 individual the “right to offer the testimony of witnesses, and to compel their attendance, if 14 necessary.” Washington v. Texas, 388 U.S. 14, 18–19 (1967). As “a fundamental element 15

16 7This argument was one of seven the Nevada Supreme Court summarily rejected 17 in a footnote: Smith also raises the following arguments on appeal: 1) the district court 18 erred in failing to give defense counsel additional time to prepare, 2) Smith’s counsel was ineffective because he failed to invoke the rule of exclusion, 19 3) the prosecutor committed misconduct by helping the police to continue coercing defense witnesses, 4) the prosecutor unlawfully shifted the burden 20 of proof to Smith, 5) the prosecutor committed misconduct by misinforming the jury on the legal standard of first-degree murder, 6) the district court erred 21 by refusing to give a jury instruction on circumstantial evidence, and 7) Smith’s conviction should be reversed because of cumulative error. After 22 careful review, we conclude that none of these separate arguments warrant reversal. 23 (ECF No. 22-15 at 3, n.1.) 24 8Smith cites Berger v. United States, 295 U.S. 78, 88 (1935), in alleging the 25 prosecutors violated their heightened duty. Berger involved a federal criminal conviction— not a state criminal conviction on habeas review. Although Berger discussed prosecutorial 26 responsibility, the decision reversed the federal conviction without expressly articulating a constitutional basis for the reversal, and nothing in that decision indicates that the 27 Supreme Court was articulating a constitutional standard. Federal courts monitor the conduct of federal prosecutors as an exercise of supervisory power that is broader than 28 review for constitutional error. See, e.g., Donnelly, 416 U.S. at 642. Berger does not guide the Court’s analysis of Ground 2. 2 through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Id. at 19. The U.S. 3 Supreme Court has established that the government deprives due process of law when it 4 “effectively dr[ives a] witness off the stand.” Webb v. Texas, 409 U.S. 95, 98 (1972) 5 (holding that petitioner’s due process right was violated when the trial judge admonished 6 and singled out a defense witness about the risks of perjury in “unnecessarily strong 7 terms”). Under Webb, “substantial government interference with a defense witness’s free 8 and unhampered choice to testify amounts to a violation of due process.” Ayala v. 9 Chappell, 829 F.3d 1081, 1111 (9th Cir. 2016) (quotation omitted). 10 The Nevada Supreme Court’s decision summarily rejecting Smith’s claim of witness 11 intimidation withstands deferential review under AEDPA. See Richter, 562 U.S. at 98 12 (where state court summarily rejects a claim, petitioner must show that “there was no 13 reasonable basis for the state court to deny relief”). The record does not suggest that the 14 prosecutors or detectives effectively drove Nicole or Joshua off the stand or changed their 15 testimony. Both witnesses testified under oath that the police pressured them to tell the 16 truth, and both stated that their testimony was truthful. Joshua testified consistent with 17 Smith’s alternative theory that an unidentified African-American male shot Duarte, and 18 parts of Natalie’s testimony were either exculpatory or equivocal. Smith does not describe 19 how and when these witnesses’ testimony changed from exculpatory to inculpatory. Smith 20 has failed to show that the detectives’ admonitions regarding perjury were overly harsh or 21 that their pressure tactics had any effect on Nicole or Joshua’s testimony. In light of their 22 testimony, the Nevada Supreme Court could have reasonably found that Nicole and 23 Joshua were not intimidated by the detectives. Given that the Nevada Supreme Court 24 could reasonably so find, the conclusion that Smith had not demonstrated a due process 25 violation is neither contrary to nor an unreasonable application of Darden or Webb. 26 The Nevada Supreme Court’s ruling was not contrary to, or an unreasonable 27 application of, clearly established federal law, and was not based on an unreasonable 28 determination of the facts in light of the evidence. See 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d). The Court 2 2. Ground 3 – Burden Shifting 3 Smith asserts that the prosecutor committed prosecutorial misconduct by 4 impermissibly shifting the burden of proof, in violation of his Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth 5 Amendment rights, when the prosecutor questioned Smith’s failure to present evidence 6 proving his innocence. 7 Smith waived his right not to testify, against counsel’s advice, and testified at trial. 8 (ECF No. 21-1 at 21–23.) During cross-examination, Smith asserted that there was “hard 9 physical evidence to prove [his] innocence,” including surveillance videos from casinos 10 and a liquor store on the night of the murder. (Id. at 78–79.) The prosecutor posed 11 questions to Smith and stated the following: 12 • “Is there anything you can pinpoint, like show the jury this hard physical evidence 13 you have to prove your innocence?” (Id. at 78.) 14 • “So this hard evidence you have, and this story that you have told here today and 15 to the police back on July 14th, there’s nothing to what we call [sic] corroborated. 16 There’s no other evidence to show your story rather than the other witnesses in this 17 case is the correct version. Wouldn’t you agree with that?” (Id. at 80–81.) 18 • “Well, I’m still looking for that hard evidence, Mr. Smith.” (Id. at 122.) 19 During his closing argument, the prosecutor argued that Smith must have killed Duarte 20 because Smith never told his girlfriend that he did not commit the murder. (ECF No. 22 at 21 36 (“Not to this day has he ever told Natalie he didn’t commit the murder.”).) Natalie 22 testified that she did not ask Smith what happened regarding the gunshot and he never 23 told her what happened. (ECF No. 21 at 42–43.) 24 During the defense summation, Smith’s counsel reminded the jury of the State’s 25 burden: 26 The State said something very interesting when Mr. Clifton started with his cross. What hard evidence do you have, Mr. Smith, to prove your 27 innocence? Ladies and gentlemen, we’re in the United States. Mr. Smith doesn’t have to prove anything. He didn’t have to take the stand. The burden 28 of proof is not on him. This isn’t Iraq. This isn’t Russia. We have a system in against the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. Not maybe, not what if, 2 not perhaps, and certainly not a defendant having to prove his own innocence. That’s not what we do in this country. 3 (ECF No. 22 at 65–66.) In addition, the jury instructions stated, “[t]he burden rests upon 4 the prosecution to establish every element of the crime with which the defendant is 5 charged, and every element of the crime must be established beyond a reasonable doubt.” 6 (ECF No. 22-1 at 11.) 7 On direct appeal, Smith argued that the prosecutor committed misconduct by 8 unlawfully shifting the burden of proof to Smith. (ECF No. 22-12 at 24–26.) The Nevada 9 Supreme Court summarily rejected his claim. (ECF No. 22-15 at 3 n.1.) 10 In Ground 3, Smith repeats his claim that the prosecutor impermissibly shifted the 11 burden of proof, asserting that the prosecutor badgered him with impermissible questions 12 implying that he had an obligation to provide the jury with evidence and otherwise prove 13 his innocence. (ECF No. 18 at 18–19.) Respondents argue that the prosecutor’s questions 14 and statements, when viewed in the context of the entire trial, do not amount to a due 15 process violation. (ECF No. 36 at 6–7.) Respondents point out that Smith’s counsel re- 16 directed the jury’s attention to the appropriate burden of proof during his closing argument, 17 and the jury instructions clearly and correctly articulated the burden of proof in a criminal 18 trial. Smith’s reply contends that the burden shifting was not cured by the jury instructions 19 or counsel’s re-direction of the jury because the damage was done by the time counsel 20 addressed the issue during the defense summation and the prosecution had already 21 interfered with his right to the presumption of innocence. (ECF No. 39 at 15–16.) 22 The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment “protects the accused 23 against conviction except upon proof beyond a reasonable doubt of every fact necessary 24 to constitute the crime with which he is charged.” In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 364 (1970). 25 The Fifth Amendment “forbids either comment by the prosecution on the accused’s silence 26 or instructions by the court that such silence is evidence of guilt.” Griffin v. California, 380 27 U.S. 609, 615 (1965). Where a defendant “did in fact testify at trial, the prosecutor’s 28 2 Guizar, 160 F.3d 511, 522 (9th Cir. 1998) (rejecting claim that prosecutor’s statement 3 violated In re Winship’s requirement that each element be proved beyond a reasonable 4 doubt) (citing United States v. Williams, 990 F.2d 507, 510 (9th Cir. 1993) (holding that 5 defendant’s “Fifth Amendment right not to testify was not implicated because he did in fact 6 testify at trial,” and he “opened the door” by arguing that prosecutor’s decision not to call 7 witness was evidence of weakness in government’s case; thus, prosecutor’s comment 8 concerning defendant’s power of subpoena and failure to call witness did not shift the 9 burden of proof)). 10 On the record and arguments presented to the Nevada Supreme Court, its rejection 11 of Smith’s burden shifting claim withstands deferential review under AEDPA and Darden. 12 Smith waived his Fifth Amendment right to silence and testified at trial. By testifying that 13 there was physical evidence proving his innocence, the Nevada Supreme Court could 14 have reasonably found that Smith opened the door to the prosecutor’s questions and 15 argument regarding his failure to provide such exculpatory evidence. The Court is not 16 persuaded by Smith’s unsupported argument that the “damage was done” by the 17 prosecutor’s summation and neither the jury instructions nor trial counsel’s summation 18 were sufficient to re-direct the jury as to the burden of proof. Supreme Court precedent 19 recognizes jury instructions “as definitive and binding statements of law” and holds that 20 prosecutors’ arguments are “not to be judged as having the same force as an instruction 21 from the court.” See Boyde, 494 U.S. at 384–85. Smith fails to identify any facts to 22 overcome this presumption. 23 Additionally, the Nevada Supreme Court could reasonably have held that the 24 prosecutor’s assertion in closing argument—Smith must have killed Duarte because Smith 25 never told Natalie that he didn’t commit the murder—was permissibly drawn from Natalie’s 26 testimony. Prosecutors may argue about inferences that are reasonably drawn from the 27 evidence. Ayala, 829 F.3d at 1115. Natalie testified that Smith never told her what 28 happened, and she did not ask. Even if the prosecutor’s argument is understood as 2 Nevada Supreme Court’s rejection of this claim “was so lacking in justification that there 3 was an error well understood and comprehended in existing law beyond any possibility for 4 fairminded disagreement.” Parker, 567 U.S. at 47 (quoting Richter, 562 U.S. at 103). 5 Because the Nevada Supreme Court could reasonably have made the factual findings 6 identified herein, a conclusion that Smith has not demonstrated a due process violation 7 under Darden’s broad general standard is neither contrary to nor an unreasonable 8 application of that standard. 9 The Nevada Supreme Court’s ruling rejecting Ground 3 was not contrary to, or an 10 unreasonable application of, clearly established federal law, and was not based on an 11 unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence. See 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d). 12 The Court denies Smith relief with respect to Ground 3. 13 3. Ground 4 – Misstating Elements of First-Degree Murder 14 Smith contends the prosecutor violated his right to due process, a fair trial, and the 15 requirement that the State prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt by misinforming the 16 jury of the proper elements of first-degree murder. 17 During closing arguments, the prosecutor described to the jury the legal standard 18 for proving the three mental state requirements necessary to support a first-degree murder 19 conviction—willfulness, deliberation, and premeditation: 20 Malice aforethought and premeditation can be a thought of the mind, successive thoughts of the mind, like: “I’m going to pull this trigger.” Your 21 mind must have told your finger to pull it. You’ve got your premeditation. You’ve got that premeditation because he decided, and it was deliberation, 22 and he decided to pull that trigger.

23 (ECF No. 22 at 40:18–23.) He continued, “[w]hen you shoot someone in the head, you 24 pull that trigger, it’s pretty hard to claim it was an accident. It’s pretty hard to claim it wasn’t 25 deliberate. It’s pretty hard to claim you didn’t intent to pull your index finger back on that 26 trigger. That’s premeditation. That’s deliberation.” (Id. at 44:2–7.) The prosecutor also 27 stated, “[w]hen somebody shoots somebody in the head, they know this could kill them. 28 They know that. It’s automatic. You’re going to have your deliberation when you pull the 2 argued, “if you know in your heart and in your mind that those guns were in this defendant’s 3 possession before that shooting, you have to convict him of first-degree murder.” (Id. at 4 53:24–54:3.) 5 Jury Instruction #17 laid out the three mental elements required to prove first- 6 degree murder: 7 Murder of the first degree is murder which is perpetrated by means of any kind of willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing. All three elements-- 8 willfulness, deliberation, and premeditation--must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt before an accused can be convicted of first-degree 9 murder.

10 Willfulness is the intent to kill. There need be no appreciable space of time between formation of the intent to kill and the act of killing. 11 Deliberation is the process of determining upon a course of action to kill as 12 a result of thought, including weighing the reasons for and against the action and considering the consequences of the action. . . . 13 Premeditation is a design, a determination to kill, distinctly formed in the 14 mind by the time of the killing.

15 Premeditation need not be for a day, an hour, or even a minute. It may be as instantaneous as successive thoughts of the mind. For if the jury believes 16 from the evidence that the act constituting the killing has been preceded by and has been the result of premeditation, no matter how rapidly the act 17 follows the premeditation, it is premeditated.

18 (ECF No. 22-1 at 18–19.) The jury instructions also included the elements of murder with 19 malice aforethought, the distinction between the two degrees of murder, the definition of 20 first-degree murder, manslaughter, voluntary manslaughter, and involuntary 21 manslaughter. (Id. at 14–22.) The state district court further instructed the jury that: (1) it 22 was their “duty as jurors to follow the law as [the trial judge] state[d] it to [the jury], 23 regardless of what [any juror] may think the law is or ought to be” (Id. at 2); (2) the burden 24 “rests upon the prosecution to establish every element of the crime with which the 25 defendant is charged, and every element of the crime must be established beyond a 26 reasonable doubt” (Id. at 11); (3) counsel’s statements and arguments are not evidence 27 (Id. at 28); and (4) the jury’s “decision should be the product of sincere judgment and 28 2 In Smith’s direct appeal, he argued that the prosecutor committed misconduct by 3 misinforming the jury of the legal standard for first-degree murder. (ECF No. 22-12 at 26– 4 28.) The Nevada Supreme Court summarily rejected his claim. (ECF No. 22-15 at 3 n.1.)9 5 Here, Smith asserts that the prosecutor’s closing arguments conflated the three 6 mental state requirements—willfulness, deliberation, and premeditation—with a general 7 intent requirement that an act be the product of a willful moving of the muscles. (ECF 8 No. 18 at 20–22.) Smith also claims the prosecutor reduced the elements of first-degree 9 murder to gun possession. Respondents assert that, in light of the testimony and evidence 10 adduced at trial, any misstatement of law by the prosecutor did not constitute a denial of 11 due process. (ECF No. 36 at 7–8.) Respondents point to multiple key pieces of evidence, 12 including Smith’s own testimony. He testified that he arranged a meeting with Duarte 13 before the murder and he admitted he had the murder weapon after the shooting, although 14 he said he did not pull the trigger. (ECF No. 21-1 at 51:23–53:4.) Respondents further 15 argue that the state district court cured any misstatements with the correct jury 16 instructions. Smith replies that the prosecutor’s arguments implied that a single volitional 17 act of pulling a “trigger” satisfies all three mental state requirements. (ECF No. 39 at 19– 18 21.) Smith replies that the prosecutor improperly urged the jury to disregard the necessary 19 elements for a first-degree murder conviction because the prosecutor’s arguments 20 eliminated the distinctions between grades of intentional killing. 21 The Darden standard applies to claims that a prosecutor of presented misleading 22 arguments to the jury. A prosecutor’s improper comments violate the Constitution only if 23 they “so infected the trial with unfairness as to make the resulting conviction a denial of 24 due process.” Parker, 567 U.S. at 45 (quoting Darden, 477 U.S. at 181–83); see also 25

26 9Smith raised this claim for the second time in his post-conviction appeal arguing that “the State misstated the law in closing argument at trial.” (ECF No. 23-16 at 3–4.) The 27 Nevada Supreme Court held that the claim “could have been raised in [his] direct appeal,” and he “failed to demonstrate good cause for his failure to do so.” (Id. (citing NRS 28 34.810(1)(b)).) Because the claim was raised on direct appeal, it is exhausted. 2 per se, violate a defendant’s constitutional rights”). Where misstatements are made during 3 closing argument, they are generally less harmful because they are subject to objection 4 and correction by the trial court. Boyde, 494 U.S. at 384. “A jury is presumed to follow its 5 instructions,” and to accept the law as stated by the court, not as stated by counsel. 6 Blueford v. Arkansas, 566 U.S. 599, 606 (2012) (quotation omitted). 7 In light of the state court record, the Nevada Supreme Court reasonably could have 8 held that the jury instructions cured any prosecutorial misstatement of the first-degree 9 murder elements. Assuming for the purposes of this discussion that the prosecutor 10 misstated the law, the record indicates that the state district court properly instructed the 11 jury on Nevada law regarding murder. Smith does not argue otherwise. Nor does he 12 explain why the jury instructions were insufficient to cure any purported misstatements. 13 Smith has not overcome the presumption that the jury followed its instructions. See 14 Blueford, 566 U.S. at 606. Given that the Nevada Supreme Court could reasonably find 15 that any improper statements did not render the trial fundamentally unfair, a conclusion 16 that Smith has not demonstrated a due process violation under Darden’s broad general 17 standard is neither contrary to nor an unreasonable application of that standard. 18 The Nevada Supreme Court’s ruling rejecting Ground 4 was not contrary to, or an 19 unreasonable application of, clearly established federal law, and was not based on an 20 unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence. See 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d). 21 The Court denies Smith relief with respect to Ground 4. 22 B. Ground 5 – Ineffective Assistance of Counsel 23 Smith argues that he received ineffective assistance from his trial attorneys in 24 violation of the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments. The Sixth Amendment right to counsel 25 includes “the right to the effective assistance of counsel.” Garza v. Idaho, 139 S. Ct. 738, 26 743–44 (2019) (quotation omitted). In Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984), the 27 Supreme Court established a two-prong test for habeas claims alleging ineffective 28 assistance of counsel (“IAC”). Under Strickland, a petitioner must show that (1) “counsel’s 2 deficiency was ‘prejudicial to the defense.’” Garza, 139 S. Ct. at 743–44 (quoting 3 Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687–88, 692). A court considering an IAC claim must apply a 4 “strong presumption that counsel’s conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable 5 professional assistance.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689. A habeas petitioner bears the 6 burden of showing “that counsel made errors so serious that counsel was not functioning 7 as the ‘counsel’ guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment.” Id. at 687. To 8 establish prejudice, it is not enough for the petitioner “to show that the errors had some 9 conceivable effect on the outcome of the proceeding.” Id. at 693. Rather, the errors must 10 be “so serious as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial, a trial whose result is reliable.” Id. 11 at 687. A court may first consider either the question of deficient performance or the 12 question of prejudice; if the petitioner fails to satisfy either question, the court need not 13 consider the other. Id. at 697. 14 Where a state court previously adjudicated an IAC claim under Strickland, 15 establishing that the decision was unreasonable is especially difficult. See Richter, 562 16 U.S. at 104–05. In Richter, the Supreme Court instructed: 17 The standards created by Strickland and § 2254(d) are both “highly deferential,” [Strickland, 466 U.S.] at 689; Lindh v. Murphy, 521 U.S. 320, 18 333, n.7, 117 S. Ct. 2059, 138 L.Ed.2d 481 (1997), and when the two apply in tandem, review is “doubly” so, Knowles [v. Mirzayance, 556 U.S. 111, 123 19 (2009)]. The Strickland standard is a general one, so the range of reasonable applications is substantial. 556 U.S., at 123, 129 S. Ct. at 1420. Federal 20 habeas courts must guard against the danger of equating unreasonableness under Strickland with unreasonableness under § 2254(d). When § 2254(d) 21 applies, the question is not whether counsel’s actions were reasonable. The question is whether there is any reasonable argument that counsel satisfied 22 Strickland’s deferential standard.

23 562 U.S. at 105; see also Cheney v. Washington, 614 F.3d 987, 995 (9th Cir. 2010) 24 (“When a federal court reviews a state court’s Strickland determination under AEDPA, 25 both AEDPA and Strickland’s deferential standards apply; hence, the Supreme Court’s 26 description of the standard as ‘doubly deferential.’”). 27 1. Ground 5(a) – Failing to Invoke the Rule of Exclusion 28 Ground 5(a) is a companion claim to Ground 2, alleging ineffective assistance of 2 intimidating Natalie while she testified at trial. The facts relevant to this claim are set forth, 3 supra, in the discussion of Ground 2. 4 Smith called his trial counsel as witnesses during the evidentiary hearing for his 5 state petition. (ECF No. 23-9 at 4–21 (testimony of Jenny Hubach), 97–130 (testimony of 6 John Calvert).) The state district court asked Hubach why she did not invoke the rule of 7 exclusion, and Hubach testified that the trial court typically asks the parties at the outset 8 of trial whether they wish to invoke, but that did not happen in this case. (Id. at 19.) When 9 asked by the state district court why he did not invoke before the trial began, Calvert could 10 not provide an explanation. (Id. at 110.) Both attorneys testified they did not think about 11 the exclusionary rule until Natalie’s testimony discussed intimidation by the detectives, 12 which alerted the attorneys that the detectives were present in the courtroom and their 13 presence was a problem. (Id. at 19–20, 110–111.) Calvert attempted to invoke the 14 exclusionary rule while Natalie was testifying, but the trial court denied the motion. (Id. at 15 110–11; see also ECF No. 20-1 at 183–86.) 16 In his post-conviction appeal, the Nevada Supreme Court provided the relevant 17 background and held as follows: 18 On appeal from the denial of his May 26, 2010, petition, appellant argues that the district court erred in denying his claims of ineffective assistance of 19 trial counsel. To prove ineffective assistance of counsel, a petitioner must demonstrate that counsel’s performance was deficient in that it fell below an 20 objective standard of reasonableness, and resulting prejudice such that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s errors, the outcome 21 of the proceedings would have been different. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687-88 (1984); Warden v. Lyons, 100 Nev. 430, 432-33, 683 P.2d 22 504, 505 (1984) (adopting the test in Strickland). Both components of the inquiry must be shown, Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697, and the petitioner must 23 demonstrate the underlying facts by a preponderance of the evidence, Means v. State, 120 Nev. 1001, 1012, 108 P.8d 25, 88 (2004). 24 First, appellant argues that counsel was ineffective for failing to timely invoke 25 the exclusionary rule, which resulted in the intimidation of a witness while she was testifying at trial by other witnesses who would have been excluded. 26 Appellant has failed to demonstrate prejudice. Appellant failed to satisfy his burden of proof at the evidentiary hearing when he presented no evidence 27 that the testifying witness was in fact intimidated into changing her testimony, what her testimony would have been had she not been 28 intimidated, or how it would have affected the outcome at trial. We therefore 2 (ECF No. 23-16 at 2–3.) 3 Here, Smith argues that trial counsel’s failure to timely invoke the rule of exclusion 4 constitutes “per se ineffectiveness,” and prejudice is shown in Natalie’s testimony because 5 she repeatedly voiced a fear of law enforcement, yet she had to endure the detectives’ 6 stares while testifying. (ECF No. 18 at 23–25.) Respondents counter that Smith cannot 7 show prejudice under Strickland’s second prong because he has not demonstrated how 8 Natalie’s testimony would have been different in the detectives’ absence, and she 9 repeatedly affirmed that her testimony was truthful. (ECF No. 36 at 9–11.) Considering the 10 totality of the evidence presented against Smith, including additional witnesses who 11 corroborated Natalie’s testimony, Respondents maintain that Smith fails to show how the 12 outcome of his trial would have been different with the rule of exclusion in force. Smith 13 replies that he has shown prejudice because the detectives’ presence during Natalie’s 14 testimony allowed the prosecution to tailor or alter their subsequent testimony to render 15 Natalie’s testimony incredible. (ECF No. 39 at 22–24.) 16 The Nevada Supreme Court’s conclusion that Smith failed to demonstrate prejudice 17 on Ground 5(a) was neither contrary to nor an objectively unreasonable application of 18 Strickland’s prejudice prong on the record and arguments presented to that court.10 19 Natalie testified that the detectives’ presence in the courtroom and prior threats did not 20 change the substance of her testimony. The state district court held that Smith identified 21 no specific evidence to show the detectives actually intimidated any witness. (See ECF 22 Nos. 23-9, 23-10.) The Nevada Supreme Court agreed, concluding that Smith had not 23 shown prejudice and the state district court did not err in denying the claim. (ECF No. 23- 24 16 at 2–3.) Smith does not identify what portions of Natalie’s testimony changed based on 25 the detectives’ intimidation or what portions were rendered incredible. Nor does he identify 26 27

28 10Given this prejudice holding, the Nevada Supreme Court did not need to reach Strickland’s performance prong and did not do so. 2 demonstrated how trial counsel’s failure to invoke the exclusionary rule had any 3 conceivable effect on the outcome of the trial. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 693. Under 4 AEDPA, Smith has failed to meet his burden of showing that the Nevada Supreme Court 5 unreasonably applied Strickland on the state court record. 6 The Nevada Supreme Court’s ruling on this IAC claim was not contrary to, or an 7 unreasonable application of, clearly established federal law, and was not based on an 8 unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence. See 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d). 9 The Court denies Smith with respect to Ground 5(a). 10 2. Ground 5(b) – Failing to Object to Prosecutor’s Misstatements 11 Ground 5(b) is a companion claim to Ground 4, alleging ineffective assistance of 12 counsel for failing to object to the prosecutor’s misstatement of the mental state elements 13 required for first-degree murder. The prosecutor’s purported misstatements relevant to 14 this claim are set forth, supra, in the discussion of Ground 4. 15 During the evidentiary hearing, Smith’s post-conviction counsel did not ask either 16 trial attorney why they did not object to the prosecutor’s misstatements. (See ECF No. 23- 17 9 at 4–21 (Hubach’s testimony), 97–130 (Calvert’s testimony).) The state district court 18 asked Hubach why she did not object, but Hubach did not recall. (Id. at 16.) The court also 19 asked Calvert whether he remembered the prosecutor discussing or paraphrasing his 20 opinion of the meaning of premeditation and deliberation, but Calvert did not. (Id. at 125.) 21 The Nevada Supreme Court rejected Ground 5(b) on post-conviction appeal: 22 [A]ppellant argues that counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the prosecutor’s misstatement of law in closing argument concerning the 23 definitions of willfulness, premeditation, and deliberation. Appellant has failed to demonstrate deficiency or prejudice. Despite carrying the burden of 24 proof, appellant failed to question either trial counsel at his evidentiary hearing about their decision not to object to the misstatement of the law. See 25 Doleman v. State, 112 Nev. 843, 848, 921 P.2d 278, 280–81 (1996) (noting that strategic decisions are “‘virtually unchallengeable”) (quoting Howard v. 26 State, 106 Nev. 713, 722, 800 P.2d 175, 180 (1990), abrogated on other grounds by Harte v. State, 116 Nev. 1054, 1072 n.6, 13 P.3d 420, 432 n.6 27 (2000))) [sic]. Further, appellant failed to provide this court with complete trial transcripts such that this court cannot review the district court’s conclusion 28 that he was not prejudiced. See Greene v. State, 96 Nev. 555, 558, 612 P.2d appellant.”). We therefore conclude that the district court did not err in 2 denying this claim.

3 (ECF No. 23-16 at 3.) 4 Smith argues that counsel should have strenuously objected when the prosecutor 5 misstated and misapplied the elements of willfulness, premeditation, and deliberation in 6 his closing because there was no strategic reason to alleviate the State’s burden of proof. 7 (ECF No. 18 at 23–25.) Smith contends that deficient performance and prejudice are 8 patent in the record because the prosecutor’s statements precluded the jury from finding 9 the mens rea required for conviction. Respondents assert that Smith has failed to meet 10 his burden of showing either deficient performance or prejudice. (ECF No. 36 at 11–12.) 11 Because he never challenged his trial counsel regarding their failure to object, 12 Respondents claim Smith cannot overcome the presumption that counsel’s inaction might 13 be considered sound trial strategy. Smith replies that the prosecutor confused the jury 14 thereby allowing the jury to convict Smith of first-degree murder without deliberating on 15 the required elements. (ECF No. 39 at 24–25.) 16 Courts “must indulge a strong presumption that counsel’s conduct falls within the 17 wide range of professional assistance; that is, the defendant must overcome the 18 presumption that, under the circumstances, the challenged action might be considered 19 sound trial strategy.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689 (internal quotation omitted); Richter, 562 20 U.S. at 109–10 (“There is a ‘strong presumption’ that counsel’s attention to certain issues 21 to the exclusion of others reflects trial tactics rather than ‘sheer neglect’.”) (quoting 22 Yarborough v. Gentry, 540 U.S. 1, 8 (2003)). As the Ninth Circuit has explained, “[b]ecause 23 many lawyers refrain from objecting during opening statement and closing argument, 24 absent egregious misstatements, the failure to object during closing argument and 25 opening statement is within the ‘wide range’ of permissible professional legal conduct.” 26 Cunningham v. Wong, 704 F.3d 1143, 1159 (9th Cir. 2013) (on habeas review, holding 27 that state court did not unreasonably apply Strickland in denying IAC claim alleging 28 2 omitted). Where a petitioner fails to present evidence or testimony addressing a reason 3 for trial counsel’s challenged act or omission and why counsel’s decision was 4 unreasonable under the circumstances, a state court may reasonably to conclude the 5 petitioner failed to rebut the presumption that counsel rendered adequate assistance. 6 Gentry v. Sinclair, 705 F.3d 884, 899–900 (9th Cir. 2013) (rejecting IAC claim based on 7 counsel’s failure to offer mitigating evidence of petitioner’s mental condition because 8 petitioner failed to provide declaration or affidavit from counsel addressing reason counsel 9 failed to present such evidence) (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690). 10 Based on the record and arguments presented on post-conviction appeal, as well 11 as the previous discussion of Ground 4, the Nevada Supreme Court’s conclusion that 12 Smith failed to demonstrate deficient performance on Ground 5(b) was neither contrary to 13 nor an objectively unreasonable application of Strickland. The Nevada Supreme Court’s 14 decision points out that Smith failed to question either of his trial attorneys about their 15 decision not to object to the prosecutor’s misstatement of law, despite carrying the burden 16 of proof. (ECF No. 23-16 at 3.) The post-conviction evidentiary hearing was held nearly 17 six years after the trial. (ECF No. 23-9.) Even if Smith had inquired of his trial attorneys, 18 Strickland’s performance prong measures the objective reasonableness of counsel’s 19 performance, not counsel’s subjective state of mind. See 466 U.S. at 688. Smith’s trial 20 attorneys may have determined that the prosecutor’s misstatements were not egregious 21 and thus decided not to object to avoid highlighting them. This is an acceptable defense 22 strategy. See Cunningham, 704 F.3d at 1159. Smith bears the burden of proof on both 23 state and federal post-conviction review. Given his failure to present any evidence or 24 testimony addressing trial counsel’s failure to object, he has not presented any proof to 25 overcome the strong presumption of adequate performance. As such, it was not 26 unreasonable for the Nevada Supreme Court to conclude that counsel provided adequate 27 assistance. See Gentry, 705 F.3d at 900. 28 Because the Court finds that the Nevada Supreme Court’s decision on Strickland’s 2 prejudice prong.11 See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697. 3 Under AEDPA’s doubly-deferential standard, Smith has failed to demonstrate that 4 the Nevada Supreme Court’s denial of this claim contradicted or unreasonably applied 5 controlling Supreme Court authority or amounted to an unreasonable determination of the 6 facts under section 2254(d). Ground 5(b) thus provides no basis for habeas relief. 7 V. CERTIFICATE OF APPEALABILITY 8 District courts are required to issue or deny a certificate of appealability when it 9 enters a final order adverse to a habeas petitioner, rather than waiting for a notice of 10 appeal and request for certificate of appealability to be filed. Fed. § 2254 R. 11(a); 9th Cir. 11 R. 22-1(a). Generally, a petitioner must make “a substantial showing of the denial of a 12 constitutional right” to warrant a certificate of appealability. 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2); Slack 13 v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 483–84 (2000). Where a district court denies relief on 14 procedural grounds without reaching the underlying constitutional claim, the court applies 15 a two-step inquiry to decide whether a certificate of appealability is appropriate. Payton v. 16 Davis, 906 F.3d 812, 820 (9th Cir. 2018). A petitioner must show both that jurists of reason 17 would find it debatable (1) “whether the petition states a valid claim of the denial of a 18 constitutional right,” and (2) “whether the district court was correct in its procedural ruling.” 19 Gonzalez v. Thaler, 565 U.S. 134, 140–41 (2012) (quoting Slack, 529 U.S. at 484). To 20 meet the threshold inquiry, a petitioner has the burden of demonstrating that the issues 21 are debatable among jurists of reason; that a court could resolve the issues differently; or 22 that the questions are adequate to deserve encouragement to proceed further. See Allen 23 11The Nevada Supreme Court held that it was unable to review the state district 24 court’s conclusion regarding prejudice because Smith failed to provide complete trial transcripts on appeal. Federal courts have a duty to conduct an independent review of the 25 record, Nasby v. McDaniel, 853 F.3d 1049, 1052 (9th Cir. 2017) (citation omitted), and its review under AEDPA is not limited to the record actually before the Nevada Supreme 26 Court but instead extends to all material in the state court record. McDaniels v. Kirkland, 813 F.3d 770, 780–81 (9th Cir. 2015) (en banc) (discussing Pinholster, 563 U.S. at 181). 27 This Court does not decline to reach Smith’s arguments regarding prejudice based on any deficiency in the appellate record before the Nevada Supreme Court, but simply finds there 28 is no need to do so because Smith failed to establish deficient performance. 1 || v. Ornoski, 435 F.3d 946, 950-951 (9th Cir. 2006). In this case, no reasonable jurist would 2 || find this Court’s denial of the Amended Petition debatable or wrong. The Court therefore 3 || denies Smith a certificate of appealability. 4|| VI. CONCLUSION 5 Based on the foregoing, it is ordered that Petitioner Jacob Smith’s first amended 6 || petition for writ of habeas corpus (ECF No. 18) is denied in its entirety. 7 It is further ordered that a certificate of appealability is denied. 8 It is further ordered that the Clerk of Court is directed to enter final judgment 9 || accordingly and close this case. 10 DATED THIS 23" day of January 2020. Oh 12 J — MIRANDA M. DU 13 CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 32