State v. Brown

Appellant was convicted of distribution of unlawful drugs and was sentenced to thirty (30) months’ imprisonment. He now alleges the trial court erred in refusing defense counsel the opportunity to make an opening statement before presentation of the State’s evidence.

After the indictment was published by the trial judge, the State chose not to make an opening statement. The trial judge therefore ruled he had no authority to permit a statement by defense counsel.

An opening statement serves to inform the jury of the general nature of the action and defenses involved in a case so they will be…