Opinion ID: 779188
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The prosecutor's statements about Yeung's plea agreement.

Text: 79 Lam also challenges the prosecutor's reading into evidence of Yeung's plea agreement and the prosecutor's remarks about the consequences facing Yeung if he did not tell the truth. We will not disturb the state court's determination that neither of these statements constitute impermissible vouching. 80 As an initial matter, Lam does not point out a portion of the plea agreement that has the improper effect of assuring the jury that Yeung's testimony is credible. Rather, the portion of the plea agreement cited by Lam leaves open the possibility that Yeung's statements are false: Yeung and his family will receive protection  if it is further found that ... [his] truthful cooperation ... reveals activities of individuals who may use violence against his family. 81 The prosecutor's statements also withstand habeas review. The prosecutor told the jury that Yeung would risk his life by not telling the truth in his plea agreement. This statement should not be considered improper, as we have approved a prosecutor's use of less subtle statements addressing the consequences of a witness's failure to testify truthfully. See, e.g., United States v. Oxman, 740 F.2d 1298 (3d Cir.1984), reversed on other grounds sub nom. United States v. Pflaumer, 473 U.S. 922, 105 S.Ct. 3550, 87 L.Ed.2d 673 (1985). Thus, we see no basis for habeas relief based on the state appellate court's approval of those statements. 82