State v. Bryant

OPINION

Justice ROBINSON

for the Court.

After a jury trial in Superior Court, the defendant, Antonio Bryant, was convicted of simple domestic assault — his third conviction of a domestic offense. As a result of this conviction, the defendant was sentenced to a term of seven years — eighteen months to be served at the Adult Correctional Institutions and five and a half years suspended, with probation.

On appeal, defendant contends (1) that the trial justice erred in refusing to allow defense counsel the opportunity to make an opening statement prior to the introduction of evidence by the state;…