Opinion ID: 501759
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Black Boy Reference

Text: 71 Coleman points to the trial court's reference to him as a black boy to support his allegation of racial discrimination. The use of the term in reference to Coleman was first made during the trial by Coleman's own counsel during cross-examination of a witness. The court's use of the phrase occurred in chambers in ruling on a motion for dismissal or judgment of acquittal at the close of the government's case. At that point in the proceedings the following colloquy occurred: 72 Prosecution: May the record show that the prosecution resists the motion. 73 The Court: Well, I treat this as a real serious motion. 74 Prosecution: In what regard? 75 The Court: Well, I'm not going to grant the motion, but I say it has some merit. 76 Prosecution: I frankly don't think it has any. We could have gotten to the jury on circumstantial evidence alone, Your Honor, and I'm confident of that. 77 The Court: Well, all you've shown is the opportunity for this black boy to do it. You've shown plenty of opportunity. 78 We have expressed concern about the influence race may have in the imposition of the death penalty. Harris, 692 F.2d at 1198 n. 4. The risk of racial prejudice infecting a capital sentencing proceeding is especially serious in light of the complete finality of the death sentence. Turner v. Murray, 476 U.S. 1, 106 S.Ct. 1683, 1688, 90 L.Ed.2d 27 (1986). We do not agree with the State that the court's reference to Coleman as a black boy was charitable; however, when placed in context and viewed in light of the entire trial transcript, it does not establish Coleman's claim of racial discrimination. See United States v. Herbert, 698 F.2d 981, 984 (9th Cir.) (defendant must show prejudice stemming from comment), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 821, 104 S.Ct. 87, 78 L.Ed.2d 95 (1983); United States v. Price, 623 F.2d 587, 592-93 (9th Cir.) (same), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 1016, 101 S.Ct. 577, 66 L.Ed.2d 475 (1980); James v. State, 270 Ark. 596, 605 S.W.2d 448, 451 (1980) (in chambers reference to defendant as boy not prejudicial); People v. McGowen, 269 Cal.App.2d 740, 743, 75 Cal.Rptr. 53, 54-55 (1969) (no prejudice from unobjected to comment). Compare Berry v. United States, 283 F.2d 465, 467 (8th Cir.1960) (repeated racial comments made in jury's presence held prejudicial), cert. denied, 364 U.S. 934, 81 S.Ct. 380, 5 L.Ed.2d 366 (1961); 34 A.L.R.3d 1313, 1320, 1328-30 & n. 19 (1970 & Supp.1986) (discussing cases). Cf. Harris, 692 F.2d at 1197 (evidentiary hearing required when facts in dispute and if proved entitled defendant to relief).