State v. Boatwright

Summary

The court affirmed James D. Boatwright’s convictions for first-degree murder, criminal discharge of a firearm, and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. It held that the district court did not clearly err by omitting an unrequested accomplice-testimony instruction because the general credibility instruction, extensive cross-examination, and other evidence adequately alerted the jury to the credibility issue. It also held that none of the five challenged closing-argument statements constituted prosecutorial error, viewing each statement in context and finding no burden shifting, improper vouching, improper comment on silence, or appeal to community interests.