Closing Argument

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Closing Argument

• Professor Beverly Reid OConnell
• Advanced Trial Advocacy

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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.

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The Law of Closing Argument

• Dont insert personal beliefs
• Dont vouch
• Dont appeal to prejudice
• Dont misstate the evidence
• Dont misstate the law
• Dont misuse evidence
• Dont appeal to jurors sympathy, personal
  interest

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The Law of Closing Argument

• Dont oversell your case
• Dont comment on evidence outside the record
• Dont make personal attacks on counsel
• Dont comment on privilege
• Dont send a message

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Opening Statement vs. Closing Argument

• Summary of what the evidence will show
• Road map
• No inferences
• No law

• Inferences
• Conclusions
• Analogies
• Discuss the law
• Discuss credibility and motive
• ARGUE!

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The Art of Closing Argument

• Talk about the evidence
• Talk about the elements if you bear the burden of
  proof
• 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

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Make it Memorable
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The Art of Closing Argument

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

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The Art of Rebuttal Argument

• Dont adopt defense organization
• Dont respond in kind to personal attacks
• Return to your themes
• Go back to the evidence
• Use the jury instructions
• Beyond a reasonable doubt
• Circumstantial evidence
• Talk about credibility
• Emphasize corroboration
• Be brief

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The Art of Closing Argument DeliveryHow you
say it is just as important as what you say

• Project Honesty
• Show passion or belief in your case
• Be articulate
• Be energetic
• Be respectful
• Remain poised
• Eye contact
• Modulate your voice
• Use visuals

• Dont appear cocky, arrogant or smug
• Dont appear overzealous
• Dont appear too lighthearted
• Dont throw temper tantrum
• Dont demean the defendant or counsel
• Dont fill dead air

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End Strong
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Closing Argument Example

• United States v. Richard Wayne Parker

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Closing Argument

• Indictment
• Conspiracy
• Possession with intent to distribute
• Types of evidence
• Direct
• Circumstantial
• Evidence Presented

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Types of Evidence

• Direct
• Witness Testimony
• Exhibits
• Stipulations
• Circumstantial
• Direct Evidence
• Common Sense
• Each Given Equal Weight

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Indictment

• Conspiracy
• Agreement
• Parker a member
• Possession with intent to distribute
• Parker knowingly possessed cocaine
• Intent to deliver

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Indictment -- Conspiracy
Agreement

• Testimony
• Pitto
• Hensel
• Koshi
• Evidence seized

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Richard PARKER
Richard PARKER
Monica Lily PITTO
Christine WHITNEY
Gary HENSEL
Pam GRAY
Tom MARSH
Jeff BREAMER
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Indictment -- Conspiracy
Parker a Member

• Drug Ledgers
• Cash
• Meets Pitto
• Cocaine in Bags

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Parkers Drug Ledger (Sept 97)
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Parkers Drug Ledger (June 98)
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(No Transcript)
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Whitneys Drug Ledger (June 98)
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Exhibit 139
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Agreement

• 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
• Evidence seized

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135,814 total
1,000
47,000
18,980
999
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Black Safe
520
39,600
1,080
1,821
Sundog
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18,980
620
17,000
7,090
45
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Elements of possession with intent to distribute

• Parker knowingly possessed cocaine
• Intent to deliver

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Exhibit 127
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Exhibit 40
Exhibit 37
Exhibit 38
Exhibit 39
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Anaheim 64
Anaheim 67
Anaheim 68
Hensel 58
Hensel 57
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Anaheim 71
Anaheim 72
Hensel59
Anaheim 75
Anaheim 74
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OFFICE
ALARM KEYPAD
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(No Transcript)