Opinion ID: 2546826
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Prosecution's Improper Statements

Text: Decay then argues that certain statements made by the prosecutor during closing arguments should not have been allowed. The State alleges that the issue is not preserved for our review. Alternatively, the State contends the statements were not improper or constituted harmless error. During closing arguments at the penalty stage of trial, the State argued that Decay had shown no remorse for his actions. Decay contends this violated his right not to testify. However, there was no objection made to the circuit court regarding this closing argument. To preserve a challenge to statements made during closing argument, this court requires a timely objection, made at the time the alleged error occurs, so that the trial judge may take such action as is necessary to alleviate any prejudicial effect on the jury. Williams v. State, 374 Ark. 282, 292, 287 S.W.3d 559, 566 (2008) (quoting Butler Mfg. Co. v. Hughes, 292 Ark. 198, 202, 729 S.W.2d 142, 144 (1987)). Therefore, this issue was not preserved for our review.