State of Missouri v. Richard D. Emery

Summary

The Supreme Court of Missouri affirmed Emery’s convictions and four death sentences after rejecting challenges to jury selection, guilt- and penalty-phase evidence, closing argument, sentencing comments, and proportionality. The court held that the challenged juror was properly struck, the evidence was relevant and nonprejudicial, the prosecutor’s argument was not improper personalization, and the sentencing judge’s remarks did not demonstrate religious bias. The court also found the aggravating circumstance supported and the sentences proportionate.