Sign In
Upcoming Event
Free Newsletter
STEVEN JOHNSON v. STATE OF MARYLAND
STEVEN JOHNSON v. STATE OF MARYLAND
Listen to this articleCriminal procedure — Closing argument by state — Burden-shifting language
A jury sitting in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City acquitted appellant Steven Johnson of first-degree murder, but convicted him of conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, carrying a handgun, possession of a regulated firearm by a prohibited person, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment. The court sentenced him to a total of 80 years of incarceration. He appealed.
Johnson presents the following questions: 1. Did the trial court err in permitting the State to use impermissible burden-shifting language in its closing argument? 2. Did the trial court err in limiting defense counsel’s cross examination of the State’s expert in firearms operability?
