Prickett v. State

Summary

The court affirmed the denial of a new trial on the ineffective-assistance, right-to-be-present, and closing-argument claims because Prickett failed to show prejudice, failed to establish a violation of his presence right, and, in any event, any error was harmless. The court nevertheless identified sentencing errors sua sponte, including the imposition of two life sentences for felony murder involving one victim, and vacated the convictions and sentences for resentencing. The case was remanded for the trial court to determine which felony-murder verdict is vacated by operation of law and to correct the related merger and sentencing issues.