Court Opinion

ID: 9641549
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 17:34:16.267326+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:10:38.296545
License: Public Domain

BLACKMAR, Judge,
concurring in result.
I deplore the prosecutor’s attempt to downplay the importance of the jury’s function in death sentence cases, for the reasons set forth in my concurring opinion in State v. Roberts, 709 S.W.2d 857 (Mo. banc 1986). I do not accept the principal opinion’s attempt to distinguish Caldwell by the suggestion that the statements in the present record are not “clearly inaccurate.” It is inaccurate to refer to the jury’s verdict of death as a “recommendation,” or to refer to the trial judge as a “thirteenth juror.” I concur in the result, however, because of the gravity of the offense, the absence of objection, and statements by defense counsel indicating absence of disagreement with the prosecutor’s legal proposition.
The principal opinion does not repeat the admonition of Roberts that prosecutors not use this kind of argument in the future, but I assume that the Court’s position on the matter is unchanged. I am also gratified by the Attorney General’s assurance that there will be no repetition in cases where that office is responsible for the trial. We should not tolerate future attempts to minimize the gravity and importance of the jury’s duty in capital cases.