Opinion ID: 498236
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Appellee's Closing Argument

Text: 25 Appellants' second objection concerns the closing argument of Mercer's counsel. While explaining Mercer's reasons for seeking punitive damages, counsel made the following remark: the reason [this deal was] not put together is because Roy Davis never intended to live by his agreement. He got over one million dollars. Record, Vol. 2 at 411. Appellants' counsel objected immediately but was overruled. Appellants now contend, on the basis of Warren v. Ford Motor Credit Co., 693 F.2d 1373, 1378 (11th Cir.1982), that Mercer's counsel was improperly arguing Roy Davis' wealth. See also Southern Life & Health Insurance Co. v. Whitman, 358 So.2d 1025, 1027 (Ala.1978). 26 We are persuaded by Mercer's argument that counsel was speaking only of the money Davis made as a result of the transaction in controversy. Davis testified twice, once on cross-examination and once on examination by the court, as to how much he had made on the Tejuoso project. Appellants' counsel interposed no objection at that time. Moreover, Mercer was seeking punitive damages in the case, and to obtain them counsel had to prove that Davis' fraud was gross, malicious or oppressive. See General Sales Co. v. Miller, 454 So.2d 532, 534 (Ala.1984). His apparent purpose in repeating Davis' profit was to contrast the amount Davis made with the amount he allegedly refused to pay Mercer. In view of this relevance of the figure and the fact that no objection was raised initially, the district court did not abuse its discretion in permitting the remark.