State v. Norwood

We deem the primary issue raised by defendant Van G. Norwood to be whether his fifth amendment rights were violated when the prosecutor and the trial court made reference to his laughing during the testimony of other witnesses. We hold that where there has been evidence adduced about a defendant's courtroom demeanor, there is no infirmity. We affirm on this and other issues raised.

Norwood was charged with sexually assaulting an eleven-year-old girl. His first conviction was overturned by this court on grounds unrelated to this appeal. During redirect examination of Teresa Hurd by defense…