Opinion ID: 4237534
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Improper vouching for Patsy Jones

Text: ¶106 Hulsey argues that the prosecutor improperly vouched for Jones in his closing argument when he stated that she “told you how many [rounds were fired]. Four rounds. Do you think she sat down and read the police report? No, they don’t. She’s not privy to that. She didn’t make it up. She’s somebody who heard it.” Hulsey argues that this statement referred to matters outside the record and constituted improper vouching. ¶107 “Prosecutorial vouching occurs if, among other things, the prosecutor suggests that information not presented to the jury supports the evidence, testimony, or witness.” Payne, 233 Ariz. at 512 ¶ 109 (internal quotation marks omitted). The prosecutor stating that Jones was not privy to the police report was improper, but this comment gave at most de minimis support for her testimony. Hulsey cannot establish fundamental error because the trial court and counsel explained that the lawyers’ arguments were not evidence, see State v. Ramirez, 178 Ariz. 116, 127 (1994) (presuming jurors follow court’s instructions), and he has not identified how he was prejudiced by the improper vouching.