Jasper v. State’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

69 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 72 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “a trial judge's irritation at the defense attorney does not translate to an indication as to the judge's views about the defendant's guilt or innocence.”

   3 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Singleton v. State · RUIZ-ANGELES v. State

2. “The facts of this crime were brutal and demonstrated calculated deliberation. Appellant planned well in advance the stabbing murder of someone he would later describe as “one of the nicest people [he] ever met in [his] life.” He allowed Alejandro to assist him with recording for two hours, knowing he was about to kill him. As Alejandro sat unaware at the soundboard mixing a track for appellant, appellant pulled his head back and, taking a kitchen knife from his jacket, slit his throat from ear to ear. When that wound did not kill him, one of appellant’s accomplices joined the attack until Alejandro was dead. Alejandro suffered twenty-five stab wounds. Appellant quickly loaded equipment into the vans and instructed one stunned accomplice to hurry up and help. In addition to the facts of the crime itself, evidence adduced at trial of prior criminal history and lack of remorse support the jury’s finding. Appellant’s criminal history included incidents beginning at the age of fifteen, when he stole a bicycle. He was expelled from school for possession of marijuana and expelled from alternative school. More recently, he attempted a residential burglary and attacked the off-duty police officer who attempted to detain him and also attempted to evade police at a traffic stop, leading them on a high-speed chase. The evidence introduced by the State at trial shows a pattern of escalating criminal activity and an increasing proclivity to break laws posing threats to the safety of others”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. 765 F. Supp. 2d 783 - Jasper v. Thaler · 466 F. App'x 429 - Ray Jasper v. Rick Thaler, Director

3. “A trial court's comments do not constitute fundamental error unless they rise to 'such a level as to bear on the presumption of innocence or vitiate the impartiality of the jury.'”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Proenza, Abraham Jacob · Marshall v. State