Howard v. State

VILLANTI, Judge.

Edward James Howard appeals his conviction and sentence for robbery with a firearm. Because the State improperly bolstered its witness and made improper arguments during closing argument that amounted to fundamental error, we must reverse his conviction and remand for a new trial.

Howard was arrested following an armed robbery that occurred in a motel parking lot in the early morning hours of December 6, 2012. Armed with a firearm, Howard’s codefendant, Darrek Battle, committed the robbery and then got into a car that Howard was driving. After leading police on a high-speed…