State v. Dawson’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

28 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 28 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “[g]iven the proper foundation, an expert witness might state whether a defendant has the psychological capacity to commit a particular crime.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. 971 So. 2d 511 - State v. Brannon · 841 So. 2d 718 - State v. Hughes

2. “"The victim testified that Dawson had come to her residence on November 7, 1978, with Calvin French, whom she knew well. French suggested that Dawson would pay to have sex with her, but she refused. When French left briefly, Dawson threw her down on the couch; she scratched him. Dawson told French when they left that he had a 4:00 P.M. date with the girl; that he was going to pay her $20 but then take it back. When the victim went to a nearby Fina gas station for a soft drink around 1:00 P.M., Dawson was there in his truck. He held a knife to her throat and forced her to accompany him. Dawson stopped at the S & S convenience store (now Michelle's) about eight miles away and went inside. The victim remained in the truck, testifying that she was frightened and unaware of her location. Defense witnesses established that Dawson remained in the S & S for about forty-five minutes and obtained a loan of $75 from the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Whitfield. While Dawson was inside, an employee, Billy Coates, moved the truck. Coates noticed nothing unusual about the occupant. Defendant drove to a secluded area, where the rape took place. Before returning the girl to the Fina station, Dawson stopped at the Thrifty Liquor store and at McDonald's. Immediately after reaching her home, the girl reported the rape to her mother, who called the police. They testified that the victim was crying and appeared to be very upset. Dr. Lawrence Hill testified that the girl had had recent intercourse and had a”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 466 So. 2d 1363 - State v. Childs

3. “The charge to the jury concerning the penalties for the responsive verdicts was within the trial court's discretion. State v. Blackwell, 298 So.2d 798 (La.1974).”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 428 So. 2d 957 - State v. Napoli