Darden v. Wainwright

After Darden (defendant) was convicted of murder, assault, and sexual assault, the prosecutor's closing argument included inflammatory comments referring to Darden as an "animal," suggesting the death penalty was needed to prevent further violence, and implicating the corrections department for having released him on furlough; the defense had presented its closing first and was permitted to rebut the prosecution's closing, and Darden's conviction and death sentence were affirmed on direct appeal before he sought federal habeas relief.