Barrios v. State

Appellant, Edson Barrios, was charged by information with sexual battery upon a child (Count I) and lewd or lascivious molestation (Count II) for events occurring between August 1, 2004 and October 31, 2004. Barrios was convicted following a jury trial and was sentenced to life imprisonment on Count I and fifteen years imprisonment on Count II, to run consecutively. Due to improper comments by the State during closing argument, we reverse and remand for a new trial.

The evidence at trial showed that Barrios had been a friend of the victim’s family since before the victim was born. According to…