The Golden Rule: No Golden Rule Arguments

A conviction of a criminal defendant for the murder of his wife was reversed by the Mississippi Supreme Court. The defendant had admitted that he pointed a loaded gun at the deceased.

The prosecutor in closing rebuttal argument made an improper “golden-rule” argument that repeatedly asked the jurors how they would feel with a loaded shotgun pointed at their face.

The court here found that the argument was improper and warranted a new trial. (Mike Frisch)