Ansell Jordan v. Craig Farwell

MEMORANDUM

Habeas petitioner Ansell Matria Jordan argues that he is entitled to have his procedural default excused under Martinez v. Ryan, — U.S. -, 132 S.Ct. 1309 , 182 L.Ed.2d 272 (2012). The underlying claim is that petitioner’s trial counsel was ineffective in failing to cross-examine principal witnesses about prior sexual assaults by others on the victim.

The district court, without applying Martinez , found that petitioner’s claims were procedurally defaulted. The district court also looked at the underlying claim, however, and found it to be without merit. We agree. Even assuming that petitioner could demonstrate cause and prejudice under Martinez to excuse his procedural default, his claim would nonetheless fail on the merits. The prior sexual assaults represent the type of evidence rendered inadmissable under Nevada’s rape shield law, Nev.Rev.Stat. § 50.090. Moreover, there is no reasonable probability that the admission of such evidence would have changed the result of petitioner’s trial, given the physical evidence and corroborating testimony.

The district court’s decision is therefore AFFIRMED.

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not…