Closing Arguments
State v. Gates, 451 A.2d 1084, 141 Vt. 562 (Vt. 1982)
The boundaries of propriety in closing argument are well established in Vermont. "[C]ounsel should confine argument to the evidence of the case and inferences properly drawn from it, and must avoid appealing to the prejudice of the jury." State v. ...
State v. Lapham, 377 A.2d 249, 135 Vt. 393 (Vt. 1977)
We believe that a prosecutor has a duty to present the State's case with earnestness and vigor, using every legitimate means to secure a just conviction, however, there is also a corresponding duty to refrain from improper methods calculated to ...
State v. Blakeney, 408 A.2d 636, 137 Vt. 495 (Vt. 1979)
It is the settled law of this state that "counsel should confine argument to the evidence of the case and inferences properly drawn from it, and must avoid appealing to the prejudice of the jury." State v. Lapham, 135 Vt. 393, 406, 377 A.2d 249, 257 ...
State v. Kelly, 306 A.2d 89, 131 Vt. 358 (Vt. 1973)
In State v. Parker, 104 Vt. 494, 500-503, 162 A. 696 (1932), this Court condemned, in strong language, the resort to jury arguments inflammatory in content, departing from the evidence presented at the trial, or representing an injection into the ...
State v. Ayers, 535 A.2d 330, 148 Vt. 421 (Vt. 1987)
There is a great risk that the jury will give special weight to this opinion because of the prestige of the prosecutor and the fact-finding facilities available to the office. See American Bar Ass'n, Standards for Criminal Justice, Standard 3-5.8, ...