State v. Oughton

—Arthur James Oughton appeals his conviction of first-degree murder. He does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence presented against him but claims several procedural errors individually or cumulatively deprived him of a fair trial.

We reverse on the basis of the analysis set forth below.

As defendant's appointed counsel on appeal pointed out in oral argument, no matter how incredible a given defendant's story may sound, due process entitles him to a fair chance to get his version of the events before the jury so that they may make an unprejudiced decision. Because we are unable to say…