State v. Morrison

GARRISON, Judge.

Appellant (Defendant) was sentenced to twenty years’ imprisonment following his conviction by a jury of forcible rape, § 566.-030.2, RSMo Supp.1990. He raises two points on this appeal, to-wit: (1) the State did not prove venue was proper, and (2) the trial court erred in failing to grant a new trial, sua sponte, because of a portion of the Prosecutor’s closing argument.

FACTS

On February 29, 1992, the complaining witness was in Joplin, Missouri attending a bowling tournament. That evening she went with friends to the Holiday Inn lounge where she met Defendant and danced several…