Dixon v. State

PATTERSON, Judge.

This appeal arises from a prosecution for aggravated child abuse. Both the appellant, Thomas W. Dixon, and the child’s mother, Gloria Snell, were charged with the abuse of Snell’s fourteen-month-old child. Snell pled guilty and testified on behalf of the state, placing the primary blame on Dixon. Dixon did not testify.

During closing argument, the prosecutor told the jury:

He was abused by both parents. But only one parent has come in here and admitted what she did was wrong. Only one parent has come in here and testified that she’s going to prison.

Dixon’s counsel made a timely…