'Improper' and 'Negative' Inferences in Prosecutor's Closing Argument Lead Washington Court to Reverse Criminal Conviction
Judge Tracy A. Staab for the Washington Court of Appeals reversed Steven David Stotts’ convictions for second degree identity theft and forgery, despite sufficient evidence to support the convictions, as the prosecutor had engaged in improper vouching by suggesting that “that law enforcement witnesses would not risk their careers by testifying untruthfully.”