BENTONVILLE -- Rogers attorney Doug Norwood hopes his book will be a resource for other attorneys.
Norwood recently released a self-published book "Prosecutorial Misconduct in Closing Argument."
The book contains hundreds of cases that were reversed in a defendant's favor because of an improper closing argument by a prosecutor.
Norwood became interested in the subject when a judge denied him a chance to make a closing argument. The case later was reversed. Norwood began to compile similar cases for his office use. He later decided to put those cases into a 1,114-page book.
Norwood recently held a book signing at his office where he provided local attorneys with copies of the book. He also mailed 1,500 copies to public defender's offices, judges and law schools across the country. The books are free.
"I've been lucky," Norwood said. "I've made a good living, so it's one way of me giving back."
Norwood said, when he was in law school, students were not taught how to handle closing arguments.
A common mistake for prosecutors is to say a defendant did not testify at trial, Norwood said.
"It really is a major and needless blunder," Norwood said. "All the jurors know that the person did not testify. They were there."
Norwood hopes the book can be used as an aid for defense attorneys and prosecutors.
Norwood, a former deputy prosecutor in Benton County, said the book is not an attack on prosecutors because most prosecutors do the right thing. Prosecutors do not want to make any mistakes that could lead to a retrial, Norwood said.
Norwood said he was grateful for his wife, Cathy, and his staff and other attorneys for their assistance. Norwood said he thanks the firm's research attorney, Dorothy Vernon Crookshank, for her work on the project.
Alison Lee, an attorney in Norwood's office, will be teaching a class on the book. Attorneys will be able to get continuing education hours from the classes, Norwood said.
Jay Saxton, Benton County chief public defender, has reviewed some of the book and said he is impressed with the compilation of cases.
"It can educate attorneys on what to be on the lookout for when in trial and give ways to handle through objection the issues," Saxton said.
Sam Hall, deputy public defender, called the book "a handy reference guide for any criminal trial lawyer, prosecutor or defense attorney."
Bryan Sexton, a Benton County deputy prosecutor, has a copy of Norwood's book. Norwood plans to send books to other deputy prosecutors, too.
"It's impressive for a self-published book," Sexton said. "It's amazingly detailed and organized."
Norwood plans to release another book in the spring that will highlight cases reversed in a defendant's favor over the issue of constructive possession of illegal items.
NW News on 12/22/2014