Hess v. State

CARNEY, Justice.

I. INTRODUCTION

A jury convicted Christopher Hess of second and third degree assault. He appealed, arguing that the superior court committed plain error by not addressing improper statements in the prosecutor's closing arguments. The court of appeals affirmed Hess's convictions and held that, although some of the prosecutor's statements were improper, they did not undermine the trial's fundamental fairness. Hess petitioned for hearing. We granted the petition and, finding plain error, reverse his convictions.

II. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS

A. Facts

In September 2011 Anchorage police…