Opinion ID: 1285723
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Solicitor's Comments During Closing Arguments

Text: Gill argues the trial court erred by failing to grant a mistrial based on the solicitor's statement during closing arguments that Gill failed to present a defense. We disagree. During closing argument, the solicitor made the following remarks: Now as I sit in the courtroom and listened to testimony trying to anticipate somebody's defense, something he can hang his hat on. What is that defense in this case? I'll tell you my opinion. Of course, His Honor is in charge of the law, but in my opinion there is no defense in this case. They have failed. Mr. Fewster is a good attorney. Mr. Honeycutt is a good attorney, but they are shackled by the facts of the case. They are limited as to what they can do in the case. What can they do to put up a defense in the case? There is no defense in this case. October 6th, 1977, Bert Long for no justifiable reason, for no justifiable cause, for nothing that he did, was murdered. Now you can call it killed, you can call it snuffed out, I'll tell you there is no way to get around it, it was cold blooded murder. There is no other way to describe it. These two attorneys can play legal gymnastics with words and try and turn this phrase around and this phrase around, but it's murder. (emphasis added). Gill argues the trial judge should have granted a mistrial because the solicitor referred to Gill's failure to present a defense, which violated his right to remain silent under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. It is impermissible for the prosecution to comment directly or indirectly upon the defendant's failure to testify at trial. Johnson v. State, 325 S.C. 182, 480 S.E.2d 733 (1997). However, even improper comments on a defendant's failure to testify do not automatically require reversal if they are not prejudicial to the defendant. Id. The defendant bears the burden of demonstrating that improper comments on his refusal to testify deprived him of a fair trial. Id. Furthermore, even if the solicitor makes an improper comment on the defendant's failure to testify, a curative instruction emphasizing the jury cannot consider defendant's failure to testify against him will cure any potential error. Id. Gill's argument concerning the solicitor's remarks is without merit. First, the solicitor's remarks implied Gill did not have a defense, which most likely meant he did not have a defense of insanity or self defense. Second, any prejudice caused by the remarks was eliminated by the trial judge's curative instruction to the jury, which emphasized the defendant did not have to demonstrate his innocence, and his failure to testify could not be considered during their deliberations. Finally, any error caused by the solicitor's remarks was harmless considering the overwhelming evidence of Gill's guilt.