Opinion ID: 1128377
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: it was error for the prosecution to vouch for the evidence at the sentencing phase of the trial.

Text: ¶ 57. Crawford alleges that the prosecutor improperly vouched for evidence in the sentencing phase of his trial. Crawford contends that during closing argument in the sentencing phase, the district attorney impermissibly characterized himself as an unpaid volunteer for the people of the State and described why he thought the death penalty was proper in this case. Crawford believes that the prosecutor's argument told the jury that it should base a finding of especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel, on the prosecutor's assurances that this was one of the most deserving of that appellation out of the eight hundred cases a year that are processed through the District Attorney's office. Once again, however, defense counsel failed to make a contemporaneous objection to the prosecution's arguments. Therefore, the issue is procedurally barred. Davis, 684 So.2d at 663.