How “reasonable” is a reasonable inference when it comes to closing arguments? Context is key.
State v. Willis (HSC July 22, 2025). Erik Willis was indicted for attempted murder in the second degree. Before trial, he filed motions to dismiss and suppress evidence. The circuit court—the Hon. Judge Kevin Souza—denied them and he filed an interlocutory appeal. The HSC agreed on the suppression issue. Back down it went to trial. At trial, the prosecution presented evidence. The evidence showed that before the time of the stabbing, Willis is on a bus heading from Niu Valley to an area near the beach where the stabbing took place. Eyewitnesses testified that a person approached the victim on the beach and it looked like he stabbed her. A witness testified that the person had a white shirt with something in the center of it when he ran away. That person then ran away to a vacant lot. More surveillance footage showed a man washing his body and face. It was never established if that was blood. Finally, there was evidence from the bus that four hours after the stabbing, Willis is getti...