Opinion ID: 1369544
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Evidence of the religious impact of Ms. Frey's death.

Text: Storey claims that trial counsel should have objected to testimony about [t]he religious impact Ms. Frey's death caused because that is contrary to Debler and Whitfield.  [2] Jody Harrison, a close friend of Ms. Frey, testified: Q. Okay. What would you say the loss of one of your closest friends and the manner of her death, what impact has that had on you personally, emotionally, socially, spiritually? A. Emotionally, I was very distraught. I'm one that does believe that you must move on and as I know Jill would want us to do. Spiritually, Jill's death brought me closer to God. As you will probably hear later when I read what I wrote for her eulogy, it is not my style to volunteer to say that I will write and talk in front of a group of people and do a eulogy. I knew that that came from God. Jill has definitely been a spiritual being for me and has helped me down that avenue definitely. Trinje Reidelberger, another friend of Ms. Frey, testified as follows: Q. Did you write a poem for her after her passing that reflected in part, her passing, the impact of her passing on you and those you knew? A. Yes, I did. That night I couldn't sleep and I kept praying to God to help Jill's family get through this and at midnight all of these words started coming to me and I wrote them down. And this is the poem that is on her tombstone now. Q. .... Is that the original of the poem that you wrote? A. Yes it is. Q. Does that reflect, in fact, the impact that her passing had on you and others and how you dealt with it? A. Yes, it is. . . . . Q. .... Would you read that, please? A. Our Special Jill You hear your children talk and play, and say what they will become someday. Your daughter was one of very few, she knew just what she wanted to do. All her friends and co-workers can say, she put her heart and soul in each day. She worked so hard for God's special child, some were hard and others were mild. Everyday was a challenge to her you see, but she had a goal for you and me. There was never a hill you couldn't climb, because Jill always gave you and your child her time. She had more love than you've ever seen, and all of you know how much that means. Even though her time was short with us, each day we'll remember her special plus. For every child that was touched or blessed by Miss Frey, will always have a sparkle in their eye. That eagerness to learn will always stay, God bless her and guide her on her way. We all love her and she'll be deeply missed. May God guide you all. Trinje Reidelberger The motion court denied this claim stating: This claim is without merit. The testimony did not overtly suggest that the victim was spiritual or religious and trial counsel was not ineffective in failing to make these objections. In State v. Debler, this Court stated: The decision between life and death should not turn on the most compelling Scriptural parallel or the best historical analogy.... [B]oth sides should avoid excessive Biblical and historical references. 856 S.W.2d 641, 656 (Mo. banc 1993). While an objection is proper to any attempt to compel a jury to impose a death sentence based on religion, id., there is no general prohibition to religious references in a sentencing. These comments were not made in reference to reasons why Storey should be sentenced to death. Ms. Frey's friends and family felt that Ms. Frey's death brought them closer to God. This is victim impact evidence, and counsel is justified in not further highlighting the statement by making a meritless objection. These witnesses were entitled to tell the jury about the impact of Storey's crime, and the jury was entitled to hear about it. Storey has not shown that these statements were an attempt to compel a jury to impose a death sentence. [3] Id. Nor has he shown that the references were excessive. Id. Counsel is not deemed ineffective for declining to make a non-meritorious objection. Six, 805 S.W.2d at 167.