Gates v. State

Lavenski R. Smith, Justice.

The appellant, Jason N. Gates (“Gates”), raises three points in his appeal of a capital murder conviction. Following conviction, the jury sentenced Gates to life imprisonment without parole. First, Gates argues that the Prosecuting Attorney made improper statements during closing arguments, including a veiled reference that Gates should have testified in his own defense during trial. Second, Gates argues that the trial court erred in allowing the admission of certain evidence suggesting that the victim had been sexually assaulted despite the fact that Gates had not…