Section 25.13 Referring to Jurors Personally

• Library: Criminal Practice 2012 Supp

b. (§25.13) Referring to Jurors Personally

It is permissible to ask for a conviction to generally preserve law and order in society but not to preserve the safety of the jury’s children, wives, and families. Such an appeal to the personal fears of the jury is error. State v. Battle, 588 S.W.2d 65 (Mo. App. E.D. 1979); State v. Groves, 295 S.W.2d 169 (Mo. banc 1947); State v. Raspberry, 452 S.W.2d 169 (Mo. 1970); State v. Heinrich, 492 S.W.2d 109 (Mo. App. W.D. 1973).

The state may not challenge the jurors on how they will account to family and friends for a verdict of...