Opinion ID: 1533871
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 27

Heading: Scope of Proper Rebuttal of Mitigation Evidence

Text: Appellant claims that the manner in which the prosecution rebutted the mitigation evidence of Appellant violated his due process rights. It is true that if the prosecution were permitted to present evidence that was unduly prejudicial such that it would prevent the jury from rendering a true verdict, a new sentencing hearing would be appropriate. Ligons, 773 A.2d at 1238. However, the cross-examination and closing statement of the prosecution during the sentencing hearing were well within evidentiary and constitutional limits. It bears repeating that: [i]mplicit in the fact that the statute assigns to the defendant the burden of proving mitigation circumstances by a preponderance of evidence is the understanding that the jury is to assess the evidence for credibility. It must be left open for the Commonwealth to challenge the veracity of facts asserted and the credibility of the person asserting those facts, whether that person is a witness or the defendant. Commonwealth v. Abu-Jamal, 555 A.2d at 858. The Commonwealth properly challenged the mitigation evidence of Appellant. Certainly, the cross-examination or closing statement of the prosecutor did not improperly prejudice Appellant. Jones, 683 A.2d at 1199.