Clonts v. State

Ruffin, Presiding Judge.

A jury found Jake Hayden Clonts guilty of one count of aggravated sodomy.1 On appeal, Clonts argues that the trial court erred in admitting certain evidence and that the court abused its discretion in failing to grant a mistrial following the State’s improper closing argument. Clonts also contends that he received ineffective assistance of counsel. Finding no error, we affirm.

Viewed in a light favorable to the jury’s verdict, the evidence shows that on December 4, 1999, Clonts hosted a party to celebrate his wife’s birthday. The victim and her fiancé were present at…