Opinion ID: 1742111
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: assignment of error number twenty-five

Text: This assignment relates to the trial court's refusal to grant a mistrial when reference was made to defendant's religious background. He contends that the prosecutor initiated an irrelevant line of questioning for the sole purpose of informing the jury that Vernon was Jewish. LSA C.Cr.P. art. 770 provides that a mistrial is mandated, upon motion of defendant, when a remark or comment by a judge, prosecutor or court official refers to religion, if the remark is not material and relevant and might create prejudice against defendant in the mind of the jury. Here, the issue of religion was raised by the defense. Defendant's mother testified on direct examination that Vernon had not been a rowdy or violent child and that, while in the service, had been an assistant to a chaplain. On cross-examination, after stating that her son had attended church while growing up, she was asked to specify which church he had attended. She answered Temple B. Zion (Tr., Vol. IX, p. 925). No mention was made that Temple B. Zion was a Jewish congregation or that Vernon himself was Jewish. The testimony in question was relevant and material in that it was offered to show that defendant was taught the difference between right and wrong. Because it had been stated on direct examination that defendant was an assistant to a chaplain, the subject of religion was a logical one to raise on cross-examination. There was no showing that the remark would create prejudice in the mind of the jury and the trial court correctly denied the motion for mistrial. This assignment lacks merit. For the reasons assigned, the conviction and sentence are affirmed. AFFIRMED. DENNIS, J., dissents with reasons.