Bench questions whether prosecutor's 'personal satisfaction' phrasing diluted reasonable-doubt standard
Judges pressed whether the prosecutor's use of personalized phrasing in closing—phrases like 'personally satisfied' and 'personal comfort'—overstepped by inviting jurors' emotions or diluting the requirement of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Judges examined lines from the prosecutor's closing argument that defense counsel characterized as diluting the reasonable-doubt standard. One point of contention was whether wording such as "if you're personally satisfied, beyond a reasonable doubt" or references to a witness's 'personal comfort' impermissibly appealed to jurors' emotions or suggested a lower burden.
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