Opinion ID: 1436760
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Prosecutorial Misconduct in the Closing Arguments

Text: Appellant alleges that the Prosecutor made numerous references to his [ i.e., the Prosecutor's] personal opinion as to the evidence and witnesses telling the truth. He made various references to defense counsel setting up smoke screens. He informed the jury that Barry Baker and George Balboa, both commonwealth [sic] witnesses, were telling the truth, were credible and were believable. He misquoted testimony and made reference to a portion of defendant's oral statement which was not testified to. Appellant's Brief at 39. Appellant fails to direct our attention to any specific example or cite to the record. We admonish counsel that it is their duty to cite to the record so as to facilitate the Court's review of their claims. Nevertheless, we have thoroughly reviewed the record and, while the prosecutor did in fact make some statements which may be fairly characterized as Appellant has done, we find that none of them rise to the level of prejudice which requires the grant of a new trial. Accordingly, this issue does not afford Appellant any relief. Commonwealth v. Simmons, 541 Pa. 211, 662 A.2d 621 (1995).