Opinion ID: 2052708
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Dawson's Claims of Improper Prosecutorial Remarks

Text: Dawson contends that certain remarks made by the prosecution during Dawson's 1988 trial and 1993 penalty hearing were improper and unduly prejudicial. The trial court concluded that these claims were procedurally barred by Rule 61(i)(3) and denied Dawson's requested relief. An analysis of the statements complained of and the context in which these statements were made reveals that Dawson's contentions are without merit and the Superior Court did not err in so finding. The first contested statement of the prosecutor at trial is as follows: We don't think this was a reckless killing. We don't think it was a negligent killing. We don't think it was merely a knowing killing. We think it was an intentional killing. Dawson contends that this statement improperly expressed the prosecutor's subjective view of the defendant's guilt in contravention of established precedent. See, e.g., Brokenbrough v. State, Del.Supr., 522 A.2d 851, 858-59 (1987). This Court has held that prosecutors should not state their subjective beliefs in closing arguments. This Court has not held, however, that use of the words I or we in a closing argument is per se improper. Further, even assuming arguendo that the statement was improper, Dawson can show no prejudice flowing from the statement. Id. The trial court gave an appropriate limiting instruction to avoid any prejudicial effect. Id. In light of this fact, it was correct for the trial court to deny Dawson's requested relief. Id. The second statement at trial is as follows: Both sides owe you a duty of giving arguments that make sense, that are supported by the evidence and are not refuted by other evidence and it means something . . . so we are still here and we are still asking ourselves why? Why? Why? Dawson contends that this statement left the jury with the erroneous belief that the defense bore some measure of the burden of proof. Further, citing Griffin v. California, 380 U.S. 609, 85 S.Ct. 1229, 14 L.Ed.2d 106 (1965), Dawson asserts that this statement was a comment on the significance of Dawson's failure to testify on his own behalf. Even a cursory reading of this statement reveals, however, that the State sought merely to highlight the deficiencies in the case presented by the defense. Additionally, the prosecutor's question to the jury is merely a comment on the senseless nature of the killing and appears prejudicial only when taken out of context, which the defense has done here. Thus, Dawson has failed to demonstrate that this statement was designed to reflect on the defendant's silence or that the jury would naturally interpret the statement that way. See, e.g., Hughes v. State, Del. Supr., Del.Supr., 437 A.2d 559, 573 (1981); cf. Robertson v. State, Del.Supr., 596 A.2d 1345, 1355-58 (1991). Accordingly, this statement does not rise to the level of prosecutorial misconduct as Dawson contends. Even assuming arguendo that the statement was improper, Dawson has failed to demonstrate actual prejudice. The trial judge gave an appropriate limiting instruction informing the jury that the State at all times bears the burden of proof and that no adverse inference should be drawn from the defendant's failure to testify. Accord Brokenbrough, 522 A.2d at 851. Accordingly, we conclude that the Superior Court's holding in regard to this statement was correct. Dawson next asserts that the prosecutor's exhortation to the jury at trial during rebuttal to [t]ell everyone that [Dawson] . . . is a murderer was improper. This statement merely expresses one result of a guilty verdict. Since the State was clearly seeking a conviction in this case, it was no mystery to the jury that a verdict of guilty would tell the world that Dawson is a murderer. This statement was not, therefore, unduly prejudicial and did not undermine Dawson's right to a fair trial. Cf. Black v. State, Del.Supr., 616 A.2d 320, 324 (1992) (appeal to jury's societal interest improper). Finally, Dawson asserts that the prosecutor's statement to the jury at the penalty hearing that [a] life sentence for this defendant would be like sending him to his room undermined Dawson's right to a fair penalty hearing. As the Superior Court concluded, this statement was merely a comment on Dawson's nonamenability to rehabilitation. This is clearly a facet of the case which the jury was permitted to consider. In fact, the futility of rehabilitative efforts is material to the death penalty determination. Thus, this remark was proper under the circumstances and the trial court was correct in so concluding.