Opinion ID: 1913318
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 34

Heading: were the prosecutor's comments completely based upon evidence and fact?

Text: ¶ 151. The prosecutor asserted at closing argument that he was confused by the discrepancy between the EEG and brain scan readings, which were allegedly normal, and the findings on the Benton test. Holland then objected, stating that the prosecutor had mischaracterized the evidence, stating the normal readings indicated only that the EEG and brain scan readings meant nothing was found. ¶ 152. A prosecutor is entitled to argue inferences based upon the evidence at trial. Foster, 639 So.2d at 1290. The prosecutor's argument was based upon the evidence. It is true that Holland produced a psychologist who testified that the EEG and brain scan readings were not inconsistent with his test results. However, this evidence does not bar the prosecutor from arguing inferences contrary to the psychologist's testimony, as long as his argument is based upon the evidence. ¶ 153. Holland also objected to the prosecution's characterization of the defense as trying to prove Holland was so drunk that they [didn't] know what they [were] doing. Holland states that he was attempting to offer intoxication as a mitigator, in that Holland failed to appreciate the criminality of his conduct or could not conform his conduct to the requirements of law, as opposed to an insanity defense. See Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-101(6)(f) (1994 rev.). Holland states the prosecutor's portrayal of his defense was a mischaracterization of the law. ¶ 154. It appears that the prosecutor's statements on this point were mischaracterizations of this mitigator. Holland was trying to assert through his mitigator that he could neither appreciate the criminality of his conduct nor conform his conduct to that of the law. The State's argument is that usage of such mitigator means Holland is arguing that he did not know what he was doing, which is a different standard. ¶ 155. In New Jersey, a trial court held that such a mischaracterization was curable if the trial court instructed the jury correctly later on the mitigating factors and their function. State v. Bey, 129 N.J. 557, 610 A.2d 814, 816 (1992), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 1164, 115 S.Ct. 1131, 130 L.Ed.2d 1093 (1995); see also People v. Moore, 47 Cal.3d 63, 252 Cal. Rptr. 494, 511-12, 762 P.2d 1218, 1235-36 (1988), cert. denied, 490 U.S. 1095, 109 S.Ct. 2442, 104 L.Ed.2d 998 (1989), reh'g denied, 494 U.S. 1050, 110 S.Ct. 1514, 108 L.Ed.2d 650 (1990). ¶ 156. The State's instruction S-1 correctly defined the mitigator which the prosecutor allegedly mischaracterized. As a result, this Court holds that the prosecutor's statement was cured by the trial court.