Opinion ID: 1654062
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 26

Heading: The many instances of prosecutorial misconduct violated Jeffrey Davis's right to a fair trial.

Text: ¶ 61. Davis next alleges four specific instances of prosecutorial misconduct or error. The four instances involve (1) the State's closing sentencing argument where the State argued that Davis was protected by rights that he had not allowed Linda Hillman to enjoy; (2) the State's rebuttal of Davis's lack of criminal history by arguing drug use was equivalent to criminal activity; (3) the State's impugning the ethics of defense counsel; and (4) the State attempting to recreate Hillman's dying thoughts in closing argument. This issue was raised and rejected by this Court on direct appeal. See Davis, 684 So.2d at 654-56. The State answers that as this issue was raised and rejected on direct appeal, it is barred by res judicata from being considered at the post-conviction level under § 99-39-21(3). We agree with the State that this issue is barred by res judicata.