Opinion ID: 1359265
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Commenting on Lack of Remorse

Text: (31) Defendants argue that the prosecutor committed misconduct by asserting in his closing argument that defendants lacked remorse for their crimes. Defendants did not, however, object to the prosecutor's argument on this ground, and properly so. As we recently explained, lack of remorse, because it suggests the absence of a mitigating factor, is deemed a relevant factor in the jury's determination as to whether the factors in aggravation outweigh those in mitigation, and [is] thus an appropriate subject of comment by the prosecutor, so long as he or she does not argue that lack of remorse constitutes a factor in aggravation. ( People v. Crittenden (1994) 9 Cal.4th 83, 150 [36 Cal. Rptr.2d 474, 885 P.2d 887].) The prosecutor's argument in this case may reasonably be construed as urging the jury not to find remorse as a mitigating factor.