Closing Argument Professor Beverly Reid O’Connell Advanced Trial Advocacy Professor Beverly Reid O’Connell Advanced Trial Advocacy

“In Law, what plea so tainted and corrupt but being seasoned with a gracious voice, obscures the show of evil?” William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act III, Scene 2.

The Law of Closing Argument l Don’t insert personal beliefs l Don’t vouch l Don’t appeal to prejudice l Don’t misstate the evidence l Don’t misstate the law l Don’t misuse evidence l Don’t appeal to juror’s sympathy, personal interest l Don’t insert personal beliefs l Don’t vouch l Don’t appeal to prejudice l Don’t misstate the evidence l Don’t misstate the law l Don’t misuse evidence l Don’t appeal to juror’s sympathy, personal interest

The Law of Closing Argument l Don’t oversell your case l Don’t comment on evidence outside the record l Don’t make personal attacks on counsel l Don’t comment on privilege l Don’t “send a message” l Don’t oversell your case l Don’t comment on evidence outside the record l Don’t make personal attacks on counsel l Don’t comment on privilege l Don’t “send a message”

Opening Statement vs. Closing Argument l Summary of what the evidence will show l Road map l No inferences l No law l Summary of what the evidence will show l Road map l No inferences l No law l Inferences l Conclusions l Analogies l Discuss the law l Discuss credibility and motive l ARGUE! l Inferences l Conclusions l Analogies l Discuss the law l Discuss credibility and motive l ARGUE!

The Art of Closing Argument l Talk about the evidence l Talk about the elements if you bear the burden of proof l Weave your legal theory with your theme –Must be logical –Must appeal to common sense –Must show why you win –Must explain ALL of the facts l Talk about the evidence l Talk about the elements if you bear the burden of proof l Weave your legal theory with your theme –Must be logical –Must appeal to common sense –Must show why you win –Must explain ALL of the facts

Make it Memorable

The Art of Closing Argument l Be organized: present a comprehensive view of the case l Start strong and end strong l Use active language l Use rhetorical questions l Repeat theme l Narrow the issues l Explain the law l Embrace your weaknesses and bolster with corroboration l Attack major defenses l Throw down gauntlet?? (maybe not) l Be organized: present a comprehensive view of the case l Start strong and end strong l Use active language l Use rhetorical questions l Repeat theme l Narrow the issues l Explain the law l Embrace your weaknesses and bolster with corroboration l Attack major defenses l Throw down gauntlet?? (maybe not)

The Art of Rebuttal Argument l Don’t adopt defense organization l Don’t respond in kind to personal attacks l Return to your themes l Go back to the evidence l Use the jury instructions –Beyond a reasonable doubt –Circumstantial evidence l Talk about credibility l Emphasize corroboration l Be brief l Don’t adopt defense organization l Don’t respond in kind to personal attacks l Return to your themes l Go back to the evidence l Use the jury instructions –Beyond a reasonable doubt –Circumstantial evidence l Talk about credibility l Emphasize corroboration l Be brief

The Art of Closing Argument: Delivery How you say it is just as important as what you say l Project Honesty l Show passion or belief in your case l Be articulate l Be energetic l Be respectful l Remain poised l Eye contact l Modulate your voice l Use visuals l Project Honesty l Show passion or belief in your case l Be articulate l Be energetic l Be respectful l Remain poised l Eye contact l Modulate your voice l Use visuals l Don’t appear cocky, arrogant or smug l Don’t appear overzealous l Don’t appear too lighthearted l Don’t throw temper tantrum l Don’t demean the defendant or counsel l Don’t “fill dead air” l Don’t appear cocky, arrogant or smug l Don’t appear overzealous l Don’t appear too lighthearted l Don’t throw temper tantrum l Don’t demean the defendant or counsel l Don’t “fill dead air”

End Strong

Closing Argument: Example United States v. Richard Wayne Parker

Closing Argument l Indictment –Conspiracy –Possession with intent to distribute l Types of evidence –Direct –Circumstantial l Evidence Presented l Indictment –Conspiracy –Possession with intent to distribute l Types of evidence –Direct –Circumstantial l Evidence Presented

Types of Evidence l Direct –Witness Testimony –Exhibits –Stipulations l Circumstantial –Direct Evidence –Common Sense l Each Given Equal Weight l Direct –Witness Testimony –Exhibits –Stipulations l Circumstantial –Direct Evidence –Common Sense l Each Given Equal Weight

Indictment l Conspiracy –Agreement –Parker a member l Possession with intent to distribute –Parker knowingly possessed cocaine –Intent to deliver l Conspiracy –Agreement –Parker a member l Possession with intent to distribute –Parker knowingly possessed cocaine –Intent to deliver

Indictment -- Conspiracy l Testimony –Pitto –Hensel –Koshi l Evidence seized l Testimony –Pitto –Hensel –Koshi l Evidence seized Agreement

Monica “Lily” PITTO Galen KOSHIRandy UYEHARA Christine WHITNEY Gary HENSEL Pam GRAY Tom MARSH Jeff BREAMER Monica “Lily” PITTO Christine WHITNEY Pam GRAY Gary HENSEL Tom MARSH Jeff BREAMER Galen KOSHIRandy UYEHARA Richard PARKER

Indictment -- Conspiracy l Drug Ledgers l Cash l Meets Pitto l Cocaine in Bags l Drug Ledgers l Cash l Meets Pitto l Cocaine in Bags Parker a Member

Parker’s Drug Ledger (Sept `97)

Parker’s Drug Ledger (June `98)

Whitney’s Drug Ledger (June `98)

Exhibit 139

Agreement l Testimony –Pitto Parker asked her to sell cocaine Parker delivered cocaine in gym bags Parker delivered 14 kilos to her She delivered $47,000 to Parker –Hensel –Koshi l Evidence seized l Testimony –Pitto Parker asked her to sell cocaine Parker delivered cocaine in gym bags Parker delivered 14 kilos to her She delivered $47,000 to Parker –Hensel –Koshi l Evidence seized

$1,821 $44 $18,980 $520 $1,080 $999 $135,814 total $620 $47,000 $7,090 $45 $15 $1,000 Sundog $17,000 $18,980 Black Safe $39,600

Elements of possession with intent to distribute l Parker knowingly possessed cocaine l Intent to deliver l Parker knowingly possessed cocaine l Intent to deliver

Exhibit 127

Exhibit 40 Exhibit 39 Exhibit 38 Exhibit 37

Anaheim 64 Anaheim 67 Anaheim 68 Hensel 57 Hensel 58

Anaheim 71 Anaheim 72 Hensel 59 Anaheim 75 Anaheim 74

OFFICE ALARM KEYPAD ALARM KEYPAD