Opinion ID: 795681
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Prosecution's References to Washington's Custodial Status

Text: 64 During the trial, defense counsel did not object to the prosecution's reference to Washington's custodial status. We review claims of prosecutorial misconduct for plain error when the defendant fails to object at trial. United States v. Geston, 299 F.3d 1130, 1134-35 (9th Cir. 2002). We find plain error only when there is: 1) error; 2) that was clear or obvious; 3) that affected substantial rights; and 4) that seriously affected the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of the judicial proceedings. United States v. Vences, 169 F.3d 611, 613 (9th Cir.1999). 65 Washington compares the prosecution's references to his custodial status during Newell's testimony to cases in which defendants were required to wear prison garb during their trials. When defendants are forced to wear prison garb to trial, jurors may speculate that the accused's pretrial incarceration, although often the result of his inability to raise bail, is explained by the fact he poses a danger to the community or has a prior criminal record. Estelle v. Williams, 425 U.S. 501, 518, 96 S.Ct. 1691, 48 L.Ed.2d 126 (1976) (Brennan J., dissenting). This may create a subtle prejudice undermining the presumption of innocence. Id. at 504-05, 96 S.Ct. 1691 (majority opinion). The constant reminder of the accused's condition implicit in such distinctive, identifiable attire may affect a juror's judgment and no state policy is served by compelling a defendant to dress in prison clothing before the jury. Id. 66 As with prison garb, when a jury is informed that the defendant remained incarcerated while waiting for trial, this can undermine the presumption of innocence. However, the impact of referring to a defendant's incarceration is not constant as it is with prison garb. Moreover, although no state purpose is served by requiring defendants to wear prison garb in front of a jury, in Washington's case there was a state purpose for the reference to incarceration. Although Washington claims that the prosecution asked its questions in bad faith solely to place the fact of Washington's pre-trial incarceration before the jury, the record indicates otherwise. There was an obvious and relevant reason why the prosecution mentioned that Washington was in prison; Washington's custodial status provided Newell with an incentive to inform the FBI of Washington's alibi as soon as possible. The logical inference was that, if Newell really had an alibi for Washington, she would have gone to the FBI as soon as possible to make sure that he was exonerated and released from custody immediately. Thus, the reference to the defendant's custodial status is more relevant and less prejudicial 2 than in the prison garb case upon which Washington relies. 67 Moreover, Washington's failure to object to the questions referencing his incarceration undermines his argument that he did not wish for the jury to know about his incarceration. The Supreme Court has concluded that, when a defendant does not make an objection to the court about wearing prison garb, this negates the presumption of compulsion necessary to establish a constitutional violation. Estelle, 425 U.S. at 512-13, 96 S.Ct. 1691. The Court reasoned, in part, that some prisoners wish to wear prison clothes as a defense tactic designed to elicit sympathy from the jury. Id. at 507-08, 96 S.Ct. 1691. 68 In the instant case, it appears that Washington did want to make some use of his custodial status to support his case. In fact, Newell, a defense witness, was the first person to raise the fact of incarceration. The defense sought to use the incarceration to its advantage in order to prove that Newell immediately came forward with an alibi, but the defense now claims that the prosecution was not entitled to use Washington's custodial status to try to demonstrate that she did not come forward immediately. 69 As a general rule, prosecutors should not be encouraged to refer to a defendant's custodial status because it may undermine the presumption of innocence. However, given the particular facts of Washington's case, we hold that there was not plain error.