Opinion ID: 2071582
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Denying the Mistrial! Motion

Text: Crespo also argues that the trial justice erred by commenting on the legality of the search and then failing to pass the case because of the alleged impropriety of these comments. [6] He claims that the trial justice's remarks regarding the legality of the search were so prejudicial that a cautionary instruction could not have rectified the damage done to his defense. Specifically he contends that the trial justice's comments intimidated the jury and lent credibility to the state's case. Thus, he claims, the trial justice's refusal to pass the case was reversible error. The state counters that the trial justice's remarks regarding the legality of the search did not serve to bolster the state's case or the state's witnesses and resulted in no prejudice to Crespo. Here the trial justice commented on the legality of the search to prevent the jury from becoming sidetracked by an irrelevant issue. The legality of the search was for the court to decide and not for the jury. Accordingly the court's comments on the legality of the search do not warrant reversal. Moreover, we conclude that Crespo was not prejudiced thereby. Thus the trial justice correctly denied the mistrial motion.