Opinion ID: 2373626
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Did the prosecutor commit misconduct requiring a reversal of the appellant's conviction?

Text: [¶ 21] The appellant alleges several instances of prosecutorial misconduct. We have said the following regarding claims of prosecutorial misconduct: Claims of prosecutorial misconduct are settled in reference to the entire record and hinge on whether a defendant's case has been so prejudiced that the defendant did not have a fair trial. Arevalo v. State, 939 P.2d 228, 230 (Wyo.1997). The propriety of a closing argument is considered in the context of the entire argument. Id. Reversal is warranted when a reasonable possibility exists that, absent the error, the appellant may have enjoyed a more favorable verdict. Id. Campbell, 999 P.2d at 663. Furthermore, [t]he appellant bears the burden of establishing prejudicial error. Smith v. State, 2009 WY 2, ¶ 26, 199 P.3d 1052, 1060 (Wyo. 2009) (quoting Gabbert v. State, 2006 WY 108, ¶ 21, 141 P.3d 690, 697 (Wyo.2006)). We apply a plain error standard of review to those claims of misconduct where there was no contemporaneous objection at trial. Strange v. State, 2008 WY 132, ¶ 4, 195 P.3d 1041, 1043 (Wyo.2008). In that regard, we have said: [When the appellant did not object at trial], we review his claims by applying the plain error standard. Lane v. State, 12 P.3d 1057, 1064 (Wyo.2000). To demonstrate plain error, [the appellant] must show that the record clearly shows an error that transgressed a clear and unequivocal rule of law which adversely affected a substantial right. Taylor v. State, 2001 WY 13, ¶ 16, 17 P.3d 715, [721] (Wyo.2001). Reversal of a conviction on the basis of prosecutorial misconduct, which was not challenged in the trial court, is appropriate only when there is a substantial risk of a miscarriage of justice. Capshaw [ v. State ], 10 P.3d [560], 567 [(Wyo.2000)] (quoting Dice v. State, 825 P.2d 379, 384 (Wyo.1992)). Strange, 2008 WY 132, ¶ 4, 195 P.3d at 1043 (quoting Burton v. State, 2002 WY 71, ¶ 13, 46 P.3d 309, 313-14 (Wyo.2002)). We will address each of the alleged instances of prosecutorial misconduct below.