Opinion ID: 2974154
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Strength of the Case Against Slagle

Text: The evidence against Slagle in this case was strong. The only issue in this case was whether Slagle had sufficient lucidity, after drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana, to form the requisite intent to commit aggravated murder. That Slagle conceded that he had the intent to commit aggravated burglary and robbery, see, e.g., JA 646, supports the jury’s finding that he could form 4 The improper comments include: (1) asking on cross-examination whether Slagle planned to use scissors in his next murder, (2) telling the jury that Slagle had the nerve to say that he prayed, (3) asking whether it is fact that policemen do not scratch, (4) relaying the out-of-court statement that the body does not lie, (5) speculating as to what would have happened if the children had woken up, (6) speculating as to what would have happened if Slagle knew that Howard could identify him, (7) implying that defense counsel coached Slagle not to remember the murder, (8) referring to Slagle as one of the greatest threats against civilization, (9) characterizing the expert testimony of Slagle’s expert witness as liberal quack theories, (10) asserting that the purpose of his witnesses’ testimony was to gain the jury’s sympathy, (11) describing defense witness Mike Davis as having crawled out of a hole and high at the time of trial, and (12-15) vouching four times for prosecution witnesses. No. 04-3490 Slagle v. Bagley Page 16 the intent to kill. The record also reveals that alcoholics become tolerant of alcohol, see JA 608, 573; that Slagle had been drinking heavily since he was fifteen, see JA 865; that he was able to ride a bicycle two miles to Pope’s house, JA 625, without having any trouble, JA 563; that he had the presence of mind to remove his shoes when he broke in; that he thought to hide in a closet when the police came to the house; that he was alert and responsive to investigators’ questions, JA 473; that he was able to provide his social security number and date of birth to officers on the scene, JA 472; that he was able to provide the address and name of Mike Davis, JA 472; that he did not smell of alcohol, JA 475; and that he was quick and agile when the police tried to subdue him at the crime scene, JA 436. The jury had more than enough evidence to find that Slagle had the ability to and did form the intent to kill. Slagle’s most compelling evidence that he was too intoxicated to form the requisite intent was his failure to remember the events. But even this evidence was not convincing because his statements to investigators differed from his testimony at trial. He told the investigators that he entered into the basement, where he took off his shoes, looking for something to steal. JA 464. He then went to the room where the children were sleeping. JA 464. He then told the investigators that he was attempting to steal something in Pope’s bedroom when she woke up and screamed. He said that he put his hands over her mouth, and they began fighting for her sewing scissors. He thought that he stabbed her three times. JA 464. Slagle also said that he had attempted to rape Pope but that he was unable to get an erection. JA 468. At trial, however, his testimony was contrary to some of his statements to investigators. He testified that he did not remember walking into the basement, JA 626, and he remembered only stabbing her once, JA 628. He also testified that he remembered neither trying to rape her nor telling the investigators that he had attempted to do so. JA 642. Even during his cross-examination, his story changed. When asked what he said to Pope when she began to pray, he stated, “I don’t remember saying nothing to her.” JA 642. But when the prosecution asked him if he told her to shut up, he stated, “I don’t remember saying that much.” JA 642. The inconsistencies in Slagle’s testimony provide an additional basis, in addition to the numerous facts already recounted, for the jury to find beyond a reasonable doubt that Slagle formed the intent to kill on the night of the murder.