Opinion ID: 2387577
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Commenting on his silence

Text: Defendant contends the prosecutor commented on his silence, in violation of Griffin v. California, supra, 380 U.S. 609, when she argued, [W]e have heard no evidence at all of any remorse from [defendant] .... The prosecutor, however, noted the lack of evidence and did not refer to defendant's silence; a prosecutor is entitled during closing argument to highlight a defendant's lack of remorse, and doing so does not necessarily violate Griffin. (See, e.g., People v. Hughes (2002) 27 Cal.4th 287, 393-394 [116 Cal.Rptr.2d 401, 39 P.3d 432].) If defendant had appeared sorry in front of another person, performed an act of contrition, apologized to any of his victims, or otherwise demonstrated any remorse, a witness other than he could have testified about such acts or statements, but none did.