Opinion ID: 2637061
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Misrepresentation of Facts

Text: [¶ 36] Burton asserts that the prosecutor committed misconduct by misrepresenting a fact in the rebuttal portion of his closing argument. He claims that the prosecutor suggested that Burton was a convicted felon even though there was no evidence in the record to support that statement. The relevant portion of the trial transcript states: [PROSECUTOR:] You're going to have to throw all [the States' witnesses'] testimony out, ladies and gentleman, if you're going to believe this Alexa Kidd and that she was the one that spent the night in the closet. [Kidd is] the one that says [she and Burton are] just friends, but yet she loves the defendant and doesn't even know the defendant's age, a convicted felon for distributing illegal drugs. And they're asking you to believe her testimony over these other kids. [DEFENSE COUNSEL:] Your Honor, what is this convicted felon? Who are you referring to? [PROSECUTOR:] I'm referring to the witness. [DEFENSE COUNSEL:] That's entirely improper. THE COURT: I think it is. And I'll strike the last comment, Counsel. I don't believe that was in evidence. I think it was highly inappropriate. You may continue. [PROSECUTOR]: Your Honor, I was justobject to that in that I do recall that evidence testified to by their witness. And I guess we can look on the record. THE COURT: I believe there was a reference to charges. But as to convictions, I don't know. I'm not sure. [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Your Honor, perhaps [the prosecutor] was referring to Ms. Kidd's admission that she had been convicted of a drug felony. [PROSECUTOR]: That's what I'm referring to, Judge. [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: I thought he was referring to the defendant, Your Honor. [PROSECUTOR]: No. I was referring to their witness, Alexa Kidd, Your Honor. She testified. THE COURT: Okay. With that clarification, I'll overrule any objection. I don't know that that was clear as to where the reference was being made at that point in time. I apologize if I did not hear it correctly. And I'll leave it to the jury to recall specifically what counsel's reference was to. To the extent that it was a reference to Ms. Kidd and her testimony, then I'll set my ruling aside. You may proceed. [PROSECUTOR]: Point being, ladies and gentlemen, that they want you to believe Alexa Kiddshe was the one that I was referring toover all of the other witnesses in trying to provide an alibi for the defendant, somebody that she's indicated that she loves. [¶ 37] A prosecutor may not misrepresent the evidentiary facts in his closing argument. See generally Miller v. State, 830 P.2d 419, 426 (Wyo.1992). Our review of the entire passage quoted above reveals that the prosecutor did not intentionally misrepresent any fact. Although the prosecutor's comment about the convicted felon was not articulated very clearly, the matter was clarified during the ensuing colloquy among the prosecutor, defense counsel, and the court. Their exchange, which took place in front of the jury, made it very clear that the prosecutor was referring to Alexa Kidd, and not Burton, as being a convicted felon. That reference was entirely in keeping with the evidence presented at the trial. Kidd testified on direct, as follows: Q. Now, you've told us that you've done quite a few drugs. A. Yes, sir. Q. That eventually got you in some trouble, didn't it? A. Yes. I got felony with intent to deliver on April 6th. Q. Okay. And you pled guilty to that? A. Yeah. The trial court did not commit any error in resolving this matter at trial.