The State, Respondent v. Michael Vernon Beaty Jr., Appellant.

Summary

The South Carolina Supreme Court affirmed Michael Vernon Beaty Jr.'s murder conviction, holding that the trial judge's opening remarks urging jurors to "search for the truth" did not prejudice the defendant, and that the trial judge’s refusal to require the State to open fully on the facts and to limit its reply argument did not violate due process. The Court also clarified that it lacks authority to adopt new procedural rules for closing arguments without legislative action.