Opinion ID: 1959999
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Improper Comments on Witness Testimony

Text: Clayton's appeal concerns the effect of several remarks by defense counsel and by the prosecutor during closing arguments. During closing arguments, defense counsel asserted that police officers had changed their story and had manipulated the facts to secure Clayton's conviction. In response, the prosecutor stated in rebuttal summation: The first and most important point that I'm going to make is that [defense counsel's] theme of his closing argument is manipulation of the truth, the manipulation of facts and deception. The State's position is that the defense witness is manipulating the truth in this case and the State's witnesses are not. The defense witness, Robert Waters, came before you and manipulated the truth to the point where he was contradicted right before your eyes. The State's witnesses have not done that. Don't let that confuse you because the State's witnesses, the detectives, have been consistent throughout. [3]