Opinion ID: 2378907
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Cross-examination of Daryl Shurn

Text: On direct examination, Shurn denied murdering Taylor. On cross-examination, the prosecutor asked Shurn about the empty casings on the floorboard of the getaway car, whether Taylor was killed with a .357 Magnum, and about the meeting with Greer and Mitchell to plan the murder. Shurn claims that the trial court erred by permitting this cross-examination. The state may cross-examine a defendant in detail as to matters generally referred to in direct examination. State v. Murphy, 592 S.W.2d 727, 731 (Mo. banc 1979). Moreover, the jury may consider the nature and circumstances of the crime during the penalty phase. Six, 805 S.W.2d at 166. Therefore, the trial court properly permitted the prosecutor to ask Shurn about the facts of the murder.