Opinion ID: 408249
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Improper Bolster

Text: 43 Finally, Adams contends that defense counsel prejudiced his case in closing argument by strengthening the credibility of the state's strongest witness. In arguing Arie Mae's testimony to the jury, defense counsel made the following comments: 44 The district attorney would have us believe that she was an idiot, or at least retarded, and that is his own witness. He would have us to believe that she could not perceive on that night what actually happened. 45 .... 46 Now, do you recall the testimony of Mrs. Mylessia Black. Mrs. Black was a lady who lived across the hall. The district attorney asked her if she thought that Mrs. Whitehead was retarded or mentally ill. Her response was no, I don't think so. Her response was no. As a matter of fact, she was my companion. There has been no testimony by any experts or anyone in my judgment that would indicate that this girl was retarded or mentally ill. She was strange, I can see that. Her actions on the witness stand were weird. But there are a lot of us who act weird. Doesn't necessarily mean that we are retarded. 47 It was no evidence that she could not observe, recall and narrate. There was no evidence of that. There was no evidence whatsoever that she could not observe, did not observe what took place that night and could not narrate that. Hostile. I think she was hostile. I would be. You would be. I think any average man, any reasonable person would be. If someone killed my mother, shot my mother, I would be hostile. I would feel like that person needed to be punished, whether he was right or wrong. I think this is the way she felt. 48 Throughout the trial, the prosecutor attempted to provide an excuse for Arie Mae's unfavorable demeanor on the witness stand by eliciting testimony attacking her mental capacity. 13 Thus, the district court found defense counsel's closing argument a reasonable tactical approach to combat the prosecutor's efforts. We agree. The record indicates that defense counsel's closing argument attempted to convey his belief that Arie Mae's demeanor was not justifiable because of any mental or perceptive handicap but was due to her hostility towards the accused. We are mindful of the fact that Arie Mae was the key witness in this case. We thus conclude that counsel's closing argument did not comprise ineffective assistance. 49 Apart from the errors complained of, the district court found that defense counsel's representation and preparation for trial was not otherwise deficient. He obtained a pre-trial release on bond for Adams. At least six conferences with Adams were held during which they discussed potential defenses. Counsel plea bargained with the prosecutor and obtained an offer of eight years for a lesser included offense. Adams adamantly refused to plead to the offense or a lesser included offense and requested a trial on the merits of the murder charge. Counsel or his investigator went to the scene of the crime, interviewed neighbors and police, and attempted to locate character witnesses. Finally, Adams's counsel spoke with the district attorney and reviewed the state's file.