Opinion ID: 2085891
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Opening arguments

Text: The State emphasized the details of Crandall's killing from the beginning. In its opening argument, the State outlined the events surrounding the Hillis and Beeler murders, and then explained Percy's delayed decision to come forward to tell police what he knew about Thompson's involvement. This discussion of the Crandall murder followed: [W]hen [Percy] came forward to the Police he insisted that he needed to tell them about something that happened in New Castle, Indiana.... In February of 1991, [Thompson and Percy] went to New Castle, Indiana, to meet a man by the name of Wesley Crandall. Wesley Crandall was a small time marihuana dealer; they went there in a pick-up truck, and Jerry Thompson took his shotgun along. They met Mr. Crandall in his home in New Castle; they conducted their business, and when it came time to leave, they didn't leave. Instead what happened, was Jerry Thompson took his shotgun and he blew part of Wesley Crandall's head off, and killed him. And, he took Wesley Crandall's money that was there, and the marihuana. And, he took Wesley Crandall's guns.... Mr. Thompson was ultimately convicted of the murder of Wesley Crandall in February of 1991. The jury therefore knew from the outset that Thompson had been a killer and a thief in the past. The prosecutor referred not only to Percy's allegations, but also to their validation in the form of Thompson's murder conviction. The State did not refer at this stage, however, to the point for which evidence of the Crandall murder was originally held to be admissibleto show that Thompson had access to the murder weapon before the crimes. At oral argument in this Court, the State contended that these details, which were partially corroborated by other witnesses as explained below, were admissible to show Percy's credibility. There is no doubt that Percy's credibility was critical to the State's case. As the defense's opening statement put it: Who does [the State] say was with Mr. Thompson in New Castle? Douglas Percy. Who does [the State] say was with Jerry Thompson on March 14th of 1991, at Hillis Auto Sales? Douglas Percy. And, who does [the State] say was in Illinois in June of 1991, when [Thompson] was stopped by [Illinois police]? Douglas Percy. The defense asked jurors to think about what somebody's got to gain when they testify. Far more importantly what somebody has to lose. What does Mr. Percy have to lose? ... Pay particular attention to Mr. Percy.... [W]hen you retire to that Jury Room after evaluating the credibility of Mr. Percy, listening to all the Evidence, you're going to have doubts.