Opinion ID: 1800634
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: improper comments by prosecution during sentencing closing argument.

Text: ¶ 43. Hodges next argues that the State's closing argument amounted to reversible error because of the District Attorney's references to the September 11 terrorist attacks, which occurred during Hodges's trial, and some Biblical references. The arguments were made to the jury on September 12, 2001. The allegation of plain error is made because there was no contemporaneous objection to the argument by defense counsel. As the State points out, this issue was raised by Hodges on direct appeal. This Court stated that [c]onsidering the wide latitude given to attorneys for closing arguments and considering the State's comment in reference to the defense's own closing, Hodges's arguments are without merit and there [is] no unfair prejudice. Hodges, 912 So.2d at 754. Hodges is barred by res judicata from raising this issue.