Opinion ID: 2575997
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Limiting Defense Closing Argument

Text: Defendant contends the trial court violated section 1095, to his prejudice, when it conditioned his right to have second counsel argue at the penalty phase on the prosecution's option to present a second closing argument to the jury. The record does not support defendant's assertion. Section 1095 provides that in a capital case two counsel on each side may argue the cause. The right of each side to present arguments by two attorneys exists regardless of whether the opposing side presents arguments by two attorneys. ( People v. Bonin (1988) 46 Cal.3d 659, 694, fn. 3, 250 Cal.Rptr. 687, 758 P.2d 1217.) Violation of this rule does not amount to a denial of [a] constitutional right. ( Id. at p. 694, 250 Cal.Rptr. 687, 758 P.2d 1217.) In discussing the matter of closing argument, the trial court stated: So then number of argument, just a couple of details. You're entitled to two. Are we gonna have two each, are we gonna have one each? The prosecution responded that it would do one closing argument, but depending on the closing argument by the defense it would either waive or present a second closing argument. Defense counsel then said, if they waive that that would cut off our right to a second argument. When defense counsel asked the prosecutor to make the decision before the conclusion of the first argument by the defense, the prosecutor said it was impossible to do so. The court then told defense counsel: He wants to hear your argument before he decides whether to give up or not. The court made no further comments. The prosecution then made its closing argument, followed by closing argument by the defense. At the conclusion of the defense argument, the prosecution said it saw no need for further argument. Defense counsel responded: Matter submitted, your honor. The above recitation of what occurred at trial refutes defendant's claim that the court precluded the defense from exercising the statutory right to have two counsel . . . argue the case.