Opinion ID: 789111
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Closing Arguments, Jury Instructions, and Grant of a New Trial.

Text: 13 Prior to closing arguments, the district court gave its final instructions to the jury, which included the following: There is no burden upon the defendant to prove that she is innocent. Accordingly, the fact that the defendant did not testify must not be considered by you in any way, or even discussed, in arriving at your verdict. 14 During closing argument, defense counsel stated: The biggest problem in this case is, there has never been one bit of evidence that has ever been directly linked to Linda Gardner. And think about this: Linda Taylor, Ruby Eastep, Terry McGee.... Every one of them ... has gotten busted at some point, even if it's with a half a gram of meth.... But yet Linda Gardner has been importing and distributing multi pounds of meth and has never been caught with so much as a gram on her? What's the chances of that, if she was really doing it? The prosecutor then offered the following response during rebuttal, pointing to the bag marked Linda: 15 Now, Mr. Wyatt said that there was no dope that was directly linked to Ms. Gardner. Well, sure there is. It's right here: Linda. 16 You haven't heard any evidence from the defense whatsoever — and I want to emphasize, it is our burden of proof to show that she committed the crime that she is charged, but there is nothing, there is no evidence that refutes the testimony that Terry McGee gave that he separated out two pounds of methamphetamine — 17 [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Your Honor, I object and ask to approach [the bench]. 18