State v. Williams

HIGGINS, Judge.

Jerome Dante Williams was convicted by a jury of rape in violation of section 566.-080, RSMo 1978, and sentenced to twenty years imprisonment. He questions the constitutionality of section 494.020, RSMo 1979, which renders licensed attorneys ineligible to serve as jurors. He alleges the State’s closing argument impermissibly attempted to define reasonable doubt, in derogation of MAI-CR 2.20; and that questions to him concerning previous plea bargains exceeded the permissible scope of cross-examination. Reversed and remanded.

Jerome Williams met the victim at a nightclub in…