Opinion ID: 2103748
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 23

Heading: Order of Closing Argument

Text: The defendant observes that under Indiana law, the State makes the first argument and the final closing argument to the jury at both the guilty phase of the trial and at the penalty phase of trial. Brief of Appellant at 76. Believing there to be an inherent advantage in presenting the final jury argument, the defendant argues this advantage must be given to the defendant in order to avoid a presumption in favor of death. In light of the fact that the sequence of argument is statutorily prescribed because the State carries the burden of proof, and in light of our decision in Evans v. State (1990), Ind., 563 N.E.2d 1251, reh'g granted on other grounds, (1992), Ind., 598 N.E.2d 516, which rejected a similar claim, we are unpersuaded by this argument. We find that none of these arguments, (a) through (i), individually or collectively, renders Indiana's death penalty statute unconstitutional.