Section 25.5 Demeanor of Defendant

• Library: Criminal Practice 2012 Supp

2. (§25.5) Demeanor of Defendant

Comments on the defendant’s demeanor in the courtroom—for example, the defendant’s:

· snarling looks, State v. Harmon, 296 S.W. 391 (Mo. 1927); or

· lack of sympathy and laughing throughout the trial, State v. Hale, 371 S.W.2d 249 (Mo. 1963),

are proper if supported by the evidence. In the case of “snarling looks” and “laughter” that take place during the course of the...