Opinion ID: 1341011
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Solicitor's Closing Comments

Text: Smith contends the solicitor's summation was improper in two respects. First, he alleges the solicitor made several improper references to the victims' good character, in violation of the United States Supreme Court's decisions in Booth v. Maryland , 482 U.S. 496, 107 S.Ct. 2529, 96 L.Ed. (2d) 440 (1987), and this Court's decisions in State v. Gathers , 295 S.C. 476, 369 S.E. (2d) 140 (1988) and State v. Reed , 293 S.C. 515, 362 S.E. (2d) 13 (1987). Second, he contends the solicitor improperly disparaged his exercise of the right to counsel and to a jury trial. This exception is meritless; neither of the solicitor's arguments rose to a level mandating reversal. We again admonish solicitors, however, to focus their arguments upon the characteristics of the defendant and the circumstances of the crime.