Opinion ID: 1611371
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 25

Heading: throwing the pistol and loading the pistol

Text: The record reflects that during the district attorney's closing argument, he picked up the defendant's pistol and threw it in the air, demonstrating the defendant's action when he was arrested. Defense counsel objected and argued that the demonstration was highly improper, prejudicial and had no place in a court of law. The court overruled the motion for mistrial and cautioned the district attorney. During the rebuttal closing argument, the district attorney loaded the empty shell that killed Rhonda Crane into the defendant's pistol. Defense counsel objected and moved for a mistrial. The court overruled this motion. On the motion for new trial, defense counsel stated that the district attorney had thrown the pistol in the air for 10 to 12 feet landing in front of the jury. Woodward admitted in his confession that he had thrown the pistol out of the truck. Rickey Rawls testified that Woodward said he threw the pistol out about half way across a bridge and later showed authorities where he had thrown the pistol for its recovery. The demonstration by the district attorney, although theatrical, was questionable conduct for a court of law. In Fuselier v. State, 468 So.2d 45, 53 (Miss. 1985), this Court expressed the view that this Court strives for a verdict based on reason and rules rather than emotion. However, the occurrence here was properly handled by the trial court and constituted no reversible error. Therefore, this portion of the assignment must also fail.