Opinion ID: 658352
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Misrepresentations of the Evidence

Text: 167 Appellant Jill Rupley alleges that the prosecutor exaggerated, misrepresented, and told outright lies about the evidence against her during his closing argument and at her sentencing. No objection was raised to the prosecutor's statements on either occasion, and review is therefore for plain error. United States v. Lane, 708 F.2d 1394, 1399 (9th Cir.1983). 168 Our review of the transcripts reveals that any possible misrepresentations were not substantial enough to amount to plain error. Counsel are given latitude in the presentation of their closing arguments, and courts must allow the prosecution to strike 'hard blows' based on the evidence presented and all reasonable inferences therefrom. United States v. Gwaltney, 790 F.2d 1378, 1385 (9th Cir.1986) (quoting United States v. Prantil, 764 F.2d 548, 555 (9th Cir.1985)) cert. denied, 479 U.S. 1104, 107 S.Ct. 1337, 94 L.Ed.2d 187 (1987). The evidence presented and inferences therefrom supported the prosecutor's contention that Jill Rupley was an integral part of the Company, serving as a courier of money and methamphetamine, selling methamphetamine to students at the University of Nevada-Reno, and making personal use of the Company's substantial assets. Significantly, Rupley does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence on any of her six counts of conviction. 169 Rupley argues that the prosecutor improperly relied on her presence at meetings and manufacturing operations to suggest that she was involved in the illegal activity. This is a valid argument of inferences and does not constitute plain error. See United States v. Penagos, 823 F.2d 346, 348 (9th Cir.1987) (While mere proximity to the scene of illicit activity is not sufficient to establish involvement in a conspiracy, a defendant's presence may support such an inference when viewed in context with other evidence.). Moreover, Jill Rupley requested and received a mere presence instruction.