Opinion ID: 1834364
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Did the State Violate Its Own Motion in Limine?

Text: On February 7, 1986, the State filed a Motion in Limine to prevent injection into the trial (1) the possible sentence which could be imposed upon Handley and (2) the failure of the State to call witnesses that were equally available to both parties. On the first day of trial, June 15, 1987, following jury selection and prior to the first witness being called, the State orally moved to amend the motion to include any comments regarding the previous mistrial. The trial court sustained the State's Motion in Limine. Handley contends that the prosecuting attorney violated this motion and ruling during closing argument when he said: Ladies and gentlemen, you know these two convicted felons are in jail with this man up in Harrison County, and as one of them told you, he talked to him; Mr. Murphy. They're friends. They can't lose anything by lying for him. Come up here and we'll help you out. We're all in the same boat, we've all been convicted by the State. Let's get them back. This man is looking at going to the penitentiary, in the Court's discretion. That's up to his Honor, should you convict him. (emphasis added) However, in his brief Handley states: The incident itself does not by itself constitute a reversible error ... . but it is error and may be considered with such other errors for its cumulative prejudice. Having conceded no reversible error in this assignment, we find that this assignment has no merit.