Opinion ID: 2122199
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: issues

Text: Defendant contends that the court committed fundamental error regarding alleged prosecutorial misconduct. Defendant alleges that various remarks made by the prosecutor during his closing argument unduly prejudiced defendant requiring reversal under Maldonado v. State (1976), 265 Ind. 492, 355 N.E.2d 843. Defendant complains of certain paraphrasing of the evidence and of comments concerning the credibility of witnesses and the reasonable inferences to be drawn from the evidence. In closing argument, the prosecutor may comment upon credibility of witnesses as long as assertions are based upon reasons which arise from the evidence. Beard v. State (1981), Ind., 428 N.E.2d 772. After carefully reviewing the entire closing arguments of the prosecutor, it is apparent that the prosecutorial statements cited by defendant are taken out of context, and do not improperly mislead the jury or misstate the testimony or evidence. Furthermore we note that defendant did not object to such comments at trial. When an alleged error does not rise to the level of fundamental error, it is waived absent a contemporaneous objection. Burris v. State (1984), Ind., 465 N.E.2d 171; Lacy v. State (1982), Ind., 438 N.E.2d 968. Since no objection was made at trial and the comments do not rise to the level of fundamental error, the issue is waived. Defendant also contends that fundamental error resulted from statements made by the State in response to defense counsel's argument which defendant claims constituted fundamental error. After defense counsel's closing argument discussed the issue of penalty and institutionalization to the jury, the trial court granted the State the opportunity to respond to defense arguments. The remarks were within the ambit of adversarial advocacy in response to argument made by defense counsel during summation. Woodford v. State (1986), Ind., 488 N.E.2d 1121; Merritte v. State (1982), Ind., 438 N.E.2d 754; Burris, supra . We further note that the trial court instructed the jury that comments of counsel were not evidence, and that the court's final instructions constituted the law applicable to this case. Woodford, supra . Prosecutors in closing argument are entitled to respond to allegations and inferences by defense counsel during the latter's closing argument. Goodman v. State (1985), Ind., 479 N.E.2d 513. The State availed itself of that right and did not exceed its authority. We find no reversible error. Judgment affirmed. DeBRULER, GIVAN and PIVARNIK, JJ., concur. SHEPARD, C.J., concurs except as to Issue 2 in which he concurs in result only.