Opinion ID: 1766558
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Comment regarding Dr. Burch's Testimony

Text: Dr. Burch, the medical examiner, testified on direct examination that Rowe and her children had been deceased for two to three weeks before being discovered on December 3rd. On cross examination, Dr. Burch acknowledged that he previously stated in his first deposition that the victims had been deceased for two to three days before being discovered and that it was unlikely they had been deceased since November 23rd. Dr. Burch explained this discrepancy, stating that his testimony in the first deposition did not account for the fact that the air conditioner was turned to 50 degrees, which affected the temperature in the house and his assessment as to time of death. During closing arguments, Taylor argued: ... What does Dr. Burch say in his initial deposition before he got prepared by learning that [Taylor] left on the 26th? Most likely time of death was two to three days before they were discovered. They're discovered on the 3rd, what did Dr. Burch say? Most likely time are these two to three days before they're discovered. That is his medical opinion... [Taylor continues to discuss the condition in which the bodies were found] ... And Dr. Burch wanted to make some distinction which maybe you understood, about 50 degrees. Well, my opinion changed when I realized that here was an air conditioner running in that house. In rebuttal, the State argued: ... And believe me if there's somebody else that could refute Dr. Burch they would have put them on the stand. And in his deposition he said three to ten days. It happens on the tenth day. It is permissible for the State to make retaliatory arguments at closing in response to issues raised by the defense. State v. Clayton, 995 S.W.2d 468, 479 (Mo. banc 1999). Here, the State's argument responded to Taylor's argument regarding the credibility of Dr. Burch's testimony. The State's comment that Taylor could have called another witness to testify about the date of death pertained to Taylor's failure to present additional evidence about this issue, not the failure to call a particular witness. This retaliatory argument was permissible in closing arguments. Taylor fails to show a plain error in allowing these comments during closing arguments. Point ten is denied.