Solano v. State

While I agree that the state’s not-so-veiled, thoroughly disingenuous references, through the use of the code word “cauldron,” among others, to Santería rites as practiced by the defendant were grossly improper, I disagree that this established error should be disregarded as harmless. Particularly in view of the second degree murder conviction, it may not be said, I think, that these inflammatory references, which went directly to the character of the defendant, had no effect upon that finding (as opposed, for example, of one of aggravated manslaughter), which is, by definition, the result of…