JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – A former sheriff’s deputy and Missouri correctional
officer who was sentenced to death for a double killing is asking for a new
trial and says prosecutors mishandled his case.
Marvin Rice’s public defender told Missouri Supreme Court judges Wednesday that
during Rice’s trial, prosecutors violated his right against self-incrimination
by drawing the jury’s attention to the fact that he didn’t testify.
Rice was convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend in a child
custody dispute. He was sentenced to death .
Assistant Attorney General Nathan Aquino argued prosecutors didn’t comment directly on Rice’s failure to testify.
But Judge Laura Denvir Stith said prosecutors could have made their point
without referencing Rice’s silence.
Rice wants a new trial or to be sentenced to life in prison instead of
execution.
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