Opinion ID: 2746353
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Trial-Phase Closing Argument

Text: {¶ 189} Thompson next contends that the prosecutor committed misconduct during trial-phase closing arguments by making several “wholly 50 January Term, 2014 improper” statements that “violated Thompson’s rights to due process, a fair trial, and his right to remain silent.” {¶ 190} First, Thompson says that the state improperly shifted the burden of proof to the defense. During the state’s rebuttal closing, Prosecutor Brian LoPrinzi recounted his efforts to anticipate what Thompson’s defense would be: So I started going through all the defenses and I thought, okay, what types of defenses do we have? We have insanity. They’re not pleading insanity.    It is not an issue. What other defenses are there? It wasn’t me. You got the wrong guy. Well, we know that’s not on the table because they’ve gotten up and told you it was him, not to mention we have DNA. We have all kinds of evidence contrary to that. State failed to prove its burden? Ladies and Gentlemen, that’s not the defense. The Defense basically has told you that he did this. They’ve told you that. That’s not a defense. Mr. O’Brien [defense counsel] has now discussed a little bit with you about using that gun in self-defense.    It is not an issue. You cannot consider self-defense.