Skeens v. Neal

Defendant was found guilty of child molestation and sentenced to 187 years in prison. The evidence against defendant was primarily the testimony of the victim and during closing argument defendant’s attorney stated that he found the victim to be credible. The state courts of appeal affirmed the conviction and defendant sought federal habeas relief. The Seventh Circuit affirmed, finding that defendant failed to establish that he suffered prejudice from the attorney’s remark during closing argument. (ST. EVE and SCUDDER, concurring)