Opinion ID: 1369544
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Weakness argument

Text: Storey claims that counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the prosecutor's argument that [i]mposing life equated to weakness because that violated Rousan [.] This issue was litigated in Storey's direct appeal. This Court quoted the exact same statements that Storey complains of in this point and held: We have cautioned against any suggestion that the jury is weak if it fails to return a certain verdict. State v. Rousan, 961 S.W.2d 831, 851 (Mo. banc 1998). Nevertheless, `a prosecutor is allowed to argue that the defendant does not deserve mercy under the facts of a particular case.' Id. In Rousan, the defense asked for mercy during closing arguments. The prosecutor then discussed the difference between mercy and weakness. He argued that the defendant did not deserve mercy under the facts of the case. In conclusion, he stated, `The defense has asked you for mercy and what they are hoping for is weakness. I'm sorry. It's a hard choice. Weakness is something we can no longer afford. Do your duty. Thank you folks.' Id. As in Rousan, we find that the State's comment about weakness was isolated and part of a larger and otherwise appropriate argument. We can not say under the facts of this case that the trial court abused its discretion in overruling the defense objection or that there is a reasonable probability that the jury's verdict would have been different had the argument not been made. State v. Storey, 40 S.W.3d 898, 911 (Mo. banc.2001). This was raised as part of Storey's prior appeal and cannot be relitigated, even on a different theory, during a post-conviction proceeding. Mallett v. State, 769 S.W.2d 77, 83 (Mo. banc 1989).