Vaughn v. State

Justice WALLER:

We granted the petitioner’s petition to review the denial of relief in this post-conviction relief (PCR) action. The PCR court found trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to object to the solicitor’s closing argument. We reverse and remand.

FACTS

At approximately 3:00 a.m. on April 10, 1997, Deputy Reggie Widener (“Officer Widener”) was parked in a high crime area. He noticed a car circle the area twice. The petitioner’s girlfriend was driving the car and the petitioner was the passenger. After Officer Widener approached the patrol car, the vehicle drove away at a faster…