Pyne v. State

Summary

The court affirmed Pyne’s convictions for malice murder and related offenses. It held that trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to object to the State’s allegedly inconsistent theories because the State did not present inherently contradictory theories at Pyne’s trial and no clearly established due-process objection existed. It also held that the prosecutor’s closing remarks did not improperly shift the burden of proof or comment on Pyne’s right to remain silent, so the trial court properly overruled the objection and did not need to give a curative instruction.