Opinion ID: 2199758
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 23

Heading: Alleged inflammatory remarks in the prosecutor's summation.

Text: In the prosecutor's summation he said, referring to the defendants: They didn't even have the grace to take the stand and say, `I am sorry I did it. Give me mercy.' The remarks are said to have been improper as to Rios as they amounted to a vilification of him. It penetrated deeply the sensitivities of the members of the jury and added revulsion for the defendant Rios. Not only was it unwarranted but it could not be countered. We cannot comprehend what counsel means by the last expression as admittedly no objection was made to the prosecutor's remarks nor was the court asked to do anything in reference to them. Surely this course was open to the defendant had he felt he was entitled to such correctional ministrations. Contrasted to such inaction, he now asks relief on the basis of plain error of which we may take notice, R.R. 1:5-1( a ). The cold atrocity of the crime called for vigorous prosecution, but assuming the comment was not justified by the record, its use seems to have been nullified by the court's specific charge in submitting the case to the jury: In this important sphere, that is, weighing and evaluating the testimony, you members of the jury yield neither to the argument of counsel representing the defendants or to the prosecutor nor to any reference for that matter that may be contained in the court's treatment of the testimony, if they conflict with your recollection of the testimony.