Opinion ID: 712987
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Amendment of the Aggravating Factors

Text: 129 Mr. McCullah contends that the district court erred by submitting a new aggravating factor to replace an erroneous one after closing arguments in the penalty phase. We do not need to reach this issue because we remand the sentencing phase proceedings. However, we note that the trial court's failure to comply with Rule 30 constitutes reversible error only if the party was unfairly prevented from arguing his defense to the jury or was substantially misled in formulating his arguments. United States v. Smith, 629 F.2d 650, 653 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 994, 101 S.Ct. 532, 66 L.Ed.2d 291 (1980). The record in this case does not indicate that Mr. McCullah was unfairly prejudiced in his arguments, especially since Mr. McCullah's counsel recognized that the new factor properly stated the law. Importantly, although Mr. McCullah argues that he would have modified his summation had he known about the amended instruction, Mr. McCullah's counsel did not object on that basis, nor did he seek leave to present additional argument in light of the amended instruction. Further, Mr. McCullah has failed to demonstrate how he was substantively prejudiced--how the argument and result would have been any different.