Opinion ID: 161910
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Elicitation of Improper Character Evidence

Text: 25 The Caballeros contend that the prosecutor elicited improper testimony regarding Flor Caballero's personality and demeanor. In the first instance cited by the Caballeros, the court sustained objections to the government's questions about Ms. Caballero's personality and about her behavior towards clients. Regardless of the appropriateness of the questioning, these unanswered questions do not amount to prosecutorial misconduct. We review allegations of prosecutorial misconduct de novo. Gabaldon, 91 F.3d at 94. In examining claims of prosecutorial misconduct, we have held that reversal is required only if there is reason to believe it influenced the jury's verdict. United States v. Ivy, 83 F.3d 1266, 1288 (10th Cir. 1996). Thus, [a]bsent a showing of prejudice to the defendant, prosecutorial misconduct alone will not support a finding that the trial court abused its discretion. United States v. Novak, 918 F.2d 107, 110 (10th Cir. 1990) (citation omitted). The prosecutor's questions, objected to by the defense, stricken by the court, and unanswered by the witness, did not prejudice the defense. 26 The prosecutor then asked the same witness about the atmosphere in the Caballeros' office. The defense objected only on the basis that the question had been asked and answered. The court overruled the objection and the witness responded that there was [sic] times that Ms. Flor Caballero would come into the office, it was time that our own staff, us together, were saying it's time to go home. There was yelling, screaming, fighting, threats, all kinds. I mean it was a very, very tense place. XVIII R. at 606. In questioning another witness, the prosecutor asked a former Caballero client, Nelva Garcia, about the treatment she received from Flor Caballero. The witness responded that she didn't feel that [she] was treated professionally [by Ms. Caballero]. XIX R. at 846. 27 These two exchanges reveal no prosecutorial misconduct. Questions about the Caballeros' office atmosphere and treatment of the witness by Ms. Caballero were marginally relevant to show knowing participation based upon her interaction with clients and employees, and neither question addressed or even clearly invited responses regarding character, reputation, propensity to commit a crime, or otherwise inadmissible evidence. Furthermore, the witnesses' responses did not deal directly with the character of Ms. Caballero. We reject the Caballeros' contention that these questions and answers evince any prosecutorial misconduct. 28 Finally, another former client testified to an incident where Ms. Caballeros asked the then-pregnant client not to sit upon a waiting room table. Rather than objecting, the defense moved for a mistrial only at the end of the testimony. The court denied the motion. As noted earlier, we review decisions not to grant a mistrial for abuse of discretion. Gabaldon, 91 F.3d at 93. Again, the prosecutor asked nothing about Ms. Caballero's character and the witness offered these passing remarks during the course of a relevant description of her interaction with the defendant. This exchange does not constitute prosecutorial misconduct, nor was it an abuse of discretion to admit the testimony, especially in the absence of an objection. Finally, in light of the overwhelming evidence of guilt produced at trial and the relatively innocuous nature of the remarks, there exists no reasonable likelihood that the remarks prejudiced the jury, and admitting them did not impair the defendant's right to a fair and impartial trial. Id.