Snell v. State’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

94 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 100 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “Before cross-examination began, defense counsel asked whether the witness had given a statement. He said he had been orally interviewed. Evidently with difficulty, a taped interview by police was located and furnished to appellant. The next day the defense moved for a mistrial on the allegation that “possibly exculpatory information” had been withheld in that Cerrato reported that William Stumpp had been threatened over a pawn by a black man some two weeks before his death. The state counters that it had no knowledge of the information, that it was “rank hearsay” and does not tend to “negate the guilt of the defendant” as provided in A.R.Cr.P. Rule 17. We reject appellant’s argument for two reasons: first, we are told nothing of the threat itself, what prompted it, or how seriously it might be regarded, nor was Mr. Cerrato questioned about the threat or the source of his information. To sustain the argument would be to rely on what may prove to be pure rumor, wholly lacking in substance. The appellant’s characterization of the information as possibly exculpatory suggests that likelihood. It is the appellant’s burden to demonstrate prejudicial error, not merely to allege it.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Snell v. Lockhart

2. “At an omnibus hearing the defense alleged the state was withholding a statement by Holmer, inferring the statement was exculpatory. The state categorically denied the claim and said it had not decided whether to call Holmer as a witness. The state alleged Holmer and the defense were in direct communication, which was not refuted. The issue was resolved, to the apparent satisfaction of both sides, when the defense proposed simply that the trial judge examine Hol-mer’s statement during the trial. The trial judge did that in chambers and said it was free of any exculpatory information. ... We agree with the trial court, the statement is entirely free of any information tending to negate the guilt of Richard Wayne Snell.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Snell v. Lockhart

3. “they parked behind the pawnshop at 1:00 p.m. and after checking the Ruger pistol to make sure it was loaded, Snell entered the pawnshop, followed by Scott. When they returned Scott was carrying a box of weapons and Snell his brief case, containing $90 and a large quantity of jewelry. Snell told Thomas he shot Stumpp as he turned his back to open the safe.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Snell v. Lockhart