Heavican, C.J.
David E. Ware's motion for postconviction relief was denied without an evidentiary hearing. Ware appeals and argues he was entitled to an evidentiary hearing on his claims that his sentence violated the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and that his trial counsel was ineffective. We affirm.
On April 13, 1984, Ware was convicted of first degree murder following a bench trial. Ware was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment. This court affirmed his conviction and sentence.
On August 16, 2012, Ware filed a motion for postconviction relief. In that motion, Ware alleged that (1) his mandatory life sentence was unconstitutional under Miller v. Alabama
Originally, Ware's motion was stayed pending this court's decision in State v. Mantich.
In its order, the district court noted that Ware had no Miller claim, because he was 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the crime for which he was convicted. The court further addressed the claim that his counsel was ineffective for not informing him of his right to testify in his own behalf, and concluded that this allegation was not supported by the record. Finally, the district court found that Ware's claims regarding his presentence investigation were procedurally barred.
Ware assigns that the district court erred in not granting him an evidentiary hearing, because (1) his life sentence was
A defendant requesting postconviction relief must establish the basis for such relief, and the findings of the district court will not be disturbed unless they are clearly erroneous.
Constitutionality of Life Sentence.
In his first assignment of error, Ware argues that his life sentence is unconstitutional. Ware's argument is based upon the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Miller.
In Ware's case, the district court found, and the record shows, that Ware was 18 years of age at the time he committed the murder for which he was sentenced to life imprisonment. Ware does not contest that fact, but argues that because the age of majority in Nebraska is 19 under the juvenile code, this court should conclude that Miller applies to protect those minors under the age of 19. Ware acknowledges that we rejected this same argument in State v. Wetherell,
In connection with Ware's contention that he should be resentenced under Miller, Ware relies on the deposition of a neuropsychologist who testified that the brains of young adults do not stop growing until age 19 or 20 and are not fixed until age 25 or 26. Ware offered this deposition as an exhibit at the hearing on the State's motion to dismiss; the district court did not admit it, and Ware does not assign this as error. But Ware nevertheless urges us to consider this deposition.
In State v. Glover,
This deposition was inadmissible, and we decline to consider it.
We also decline Ware's invitation to reconsider Wetherell. By its very language, Miller applies to those individuals who were under the age of 18 at the time a crime punishable by a life sentence without the possibility of parole was committed. We further note that Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-105.02(1) (Cum. Supp. 2014) codifies Miller for "any person convicted of a Class IA felony for an offense committed when such person was under the age of eighteen years." (Emphasis supplied.) The district court did not err in not granting a new sentencing hearing under Miller. Ware's first assignment of error is without merit.
Waiver of Jury Trial.
In his second assignment of error, Ware argues that the district court erred in not considering his claim that his counsel was ineffective for failing to properly advise him of the consequences of waiving his right to a jury trial. Ware is correct that the district court did not address this allegation.
But we conclude that Ware is not entitled to postconviction relief. If the records and files in the case affirmatively show that the movant is entitled to no relief, no evidentiary hearing is required.
The bill of exceptions shows an extensive discussion between Ware and the district court on this issue. The right to a jury trial was explained to Ware. Ware was asked whether he wanted to waive that right, and the consequences of that decision were discussed. Ware was asked to explain why he wanted to waive his right to a jury trial. During this discussion, the court explicitly noted that it wanted Ware "to understand that this Court is certainly very willing to afford you a jury trial, and it's set for jury trial starting Monday morning, if you want."
Moreover, Ware's counsel explained to the court that "probably on at least four occasions at some length [he and Ware] have talked about the possibility of waiving a jury trial." This colloquy occurred days in advance of trial, which was originally scheduled to be a jury trial. On the day of trial, Ware was again asked whether he still wished to waive his right to a jury trial; he indicated that he did.
The record shows that Ware was aware of his right to a jury trial and was aware of the consequences of waiving that right. As such, the record affirmatively shows that Ware is not entitled to postconviction relief on this issue. There is no merit to Ware's second assignment of error.
The decision of the district court is affirmed.
AFFIRMED.