Lane v. State

Benham, Justice.

This appeal concerns the right to open and conclude closing argument in the trial of a criminal case. The right is controlled by OCGA § 17-8-71, which provides as follows: “After the evidence is closed on both sides, the prosecuting attorney shall open and conclude the argument to the jury. If the defendant introduces no evidence, his counsel shall open and conclude the argument to the jury after the evidence on the part of the state is closed.” In Smith v. State, 272 Ga. 874, 878 (3) (536 SE2d 514) (2000), this Court set out standards which are to be applied in determining…