Abron v. State’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

54 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 54 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “(1) Would the fact that there is a monument to the Confederacy with a fresh Confederate Flag ... in front of this courthouse to which you and these black defendants have to pass affect your fair and impartial consideration of the evidence with regard to whether the State has proved beyond a reasonable doubt these black defendants guilt. (2) Would the fact that there is a monument to the Confederacy with the fresh Confederate flag by which both you and the black defendant have to pass affect your fair and impartial consideration of the punishment. (3) How do you feel about requiring both the Defendants and yourselves to pass by such a monument with a fresh Confederate flag placing in front of it. (4) Would the fact that there was a sign in your county to the effect of, ‘Nigger, don’t let the sun set on you in this county,’ affect your fair and impartial consideration of the evidence weight regard to whether the State has proved beyond a reasonable doubt these black defendants’ guilt. (5) Would the fact of such a sign in your county affect your fair and impartial consideration of punishment. (6) How do you feel about such a sign having been in this county with respect to these black defendants’ trial. (7) Would the fact that the Defendants, each of whom are black, affect your fair an impartial consideration of the full range of punishment. (8) How many of you have blacks as neighbors. (9) Whether any of the jurors are now or have had membership in the Ku Klux Klan, in the White”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Brown v. State · Mauldin v. State

2. ““Not every restriction of the conduct of the jury voir dire infringes upon a defendant’s right to effective assistance of counsel. This Court has consistently held that the trial court has wide discretion over the course of the voir dire of the jury panel. (1) Reasonable time limits may be placed on the voir dire examination. (2) Repetitious or vexatious questioning may be prevented. (3) Questions asked in an improper form may be disallowed. And (4) the court may restrict inquiry into the personal habits of jurors as opposed to inquiry into personal prejudices or moral beliefs. Furthermore, prejudice or injury must be shown to demonstrate reversible error where the right to propound questions on jury voir dire is restricted.” (Citations and footnotes omitted.)”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Graham v. State

3. ““2. In a capital felony case, the court shall propound to the entire panel of prospective jurors questions concerning the principles, as applicable to the case on trial, of reasonable doubt, burden of proof, return of indictment by grand jury, presumption of innocence, and opinion. Then, on demand of the State or defendant, either is entitled to examine each juror on voir dire individually and apart from the entire panel, and may further question the juror on the principles propounded by the court.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Freeman v. State