Court Opinion

ID: 9642058
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 17:46:56.643212+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:10:42.593391
License: Public Domain

SEILER, Judge,
dissenting.
I agree with Chief Justice Bardgett that it was error, after the prosecutor was permitted to tell the jury the punishment for capital murder was life imprisonment, not to permit defendant’s counsel to inform the jury that the punishment was life without probation or parole for fifty years. If the jury is to be informed as to the punishment that might be assessed, it must be informed correctly, State v. Bevins, 328 Mo. 1046, 43 S.W.2d 432,435 (banc 1931). In my opinion, this error was prejudicial to defendant’s right to a fair trial. It permitted the jury to select the most serious offense available (which it did) under the false belief that it would result in a less severe penalty than proved to be the case. This gave the prosecution an unfair advantage and made it easier to obtain the maximum conviction.
It also belittles the jury system. It treats the jury as though it is not important that it be given correct information.