Stephen Comstock v. Stefanie Humphries

OPINION

OWENS, Circuit Judge:

In March 2004, a Nevada jury found Stephen Comstock guilty of possessing stolen property — a ring commemorating Randy Street’s 1991-1992 national college wrestling championship. The State’s theory at trial was that Comstock or Danny Carter, a known burglar, stole the ring from Street’s apartment, and then Com-stock pawned it. Comstock’s trial counsel argued that the ring was not stolen, but found outside Street’s apartment, where Street likely had lost it. The jury rejected that defense.

This seemingly trivial case had tragic results: Comstock received a 10-25 year…