Nix v. State

The appellant was indicted and convicted for the first degree murder of Harris Lee Parcus, Jr. by shooting him with a pistol. In accordance with the verdict of the jury, the trial court imposed a sentence of life imprisonment. The appellant argues that his conviction should be overturned because of the allegedly prejudicial remarks of the District Attorney in his closing argument to the jury.

I

Initially it is argued that the District Attorney directly commented on the appellant's failure to testify. At trial the defense rested immediately after the State presented its case and the appellant…