Opinion ID: 2001143
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: prosecutorial misconduct and comment by witness, detective o'shea.

Text: Appellant claims that the court should have granted a mistrial based on a remark made by the prosecutor in his opening statement and on a comment by Detective O'Shea that he was assigned to the major crimes squad. During his opening statement the prosecutor had compared what he intended to prove in this case to the series of crimes committed by the Boston Strangler, Jack the Ripper and The Kissing Bandit. The trial court addressed both the timeliness of the objection and the prejudicial effect of these remarks. The court determined that assuming arguendo the timeliness of the objection the remarks were not so prejudicial as to be incurable. Moreover he specifically instructed the jury on the purpose of these remarks. The trial court had adequately addressed these issues and found appellant's claim to be without merit. Upon review we find it also to be without merit. As to Detective O'Shea's reference that he was assigned to the Major Crimes Unit, the trial court had struck the reference and advised the jury to disregard it. The trial judge stated that even if it were prejudicial it was not such that it was incurable. Upon review of the record we agree that appellant's claim is without merit.