Opinion ID: 835782
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Closing Statements and Verdict

Text: The state's closing argument emphasized the victim's credibility as demonstrated by the corroborating testimony of her therapist, her employer, and Klingforth. The state noted that Siemens' and Dobbins' testimony that petitioner had confessed provided further corroboration. The state characterized petitioner's testimony as untrustworthy, because he had given two different stories about the identity of the gun buyer. Trial counsel emphasized the victim's motive to punish petitioner for his infidelity, the prior sale of the guns allegedly used in the crime, and the untrustworthiness of Siemens and Dobbins. He noted that Siemens had been drinking during petitioner's alleged confession. The jury convicted petitioner on all seven counts. A jury poll revealed that its verdict was eleven to one on all counts except for attempted rape, on which its verdict was ten to two. Each count required the vote of ten jurors for a conviction. Juror Ten was in the majority on each count. Petitioner did not appeal, but later chose to seek post-conviction relief.