Opinion ID: 16333
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Little's Trial

Text: 5 The indictment against Thomas was ultimately dismissed, and Little stood trial for the slaying. During the course of his trial, Little's counsel offered Thomas's confession into evidence for state of mind, but not for the truth of the matter asserted. The trial judge rejected the proffer as hearsay. Near the close of Little's case-in-chief, the Thomas confession was offered again. During a hearing on the admissibility of the confession, the trial court heard evidence bearing on the reliability of the confession. Although Thomas was called to testify, he invoked his Fifth Amendment rights. At the close of the hearing, the trial court sustained the State's hearsay objection again. 6 Two other events that occurred during Little's trial are germane to this appeal. First, the prosecutor made several allegedly improper statements during the course of his closing argument. 1 Little's trial counsel chose not to object to the statements. Second, Dr. James Grigson testified during the sentencing portion of Little's trial. While Little's trial counsel did cross-examine Dr. Grigson, no rebuttal psychiatric testimony was offered.