Head v. State

Alexander Napoleon Head appeals his convictions for the murder, kidnapping and molestation of his eight-year-old neighbor,1 claiming that numerous errors occurred during the course of his trial. Having reviewed the record, we conclude that while the trial court erred by preventing appellant from referencing a historically well-known case during closing argument, the error was harmless and thus does not require reversal. There being no merit to appellant’s other contentions, we affirm.

The evidence of record shows that at 7 AM on April 15, 1997, eight-year-old Brandon Searcy left his home and walked on Baywood Drive toward the school bus stop. He was carrying his black and green book bag. At this same time, witnesses saw appellant Head walking toward Baywood Drive in a direction that would intersect with Brandon’s path. Brandon was last seen at 7:15 AM, standing alone across the street from his bus stop. He did not catch the school bus that morning and he did not attend school that day.