Opinion ID: 2975989
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Statements Taken Together.

Text: Reviewing the statements taken as a whole, the prosecutor’s misconduct is not flagrant. Under the first factor, “whether the remarks tended to mislead the jury or prejudice the accused [including whether the trial judge gave an appropriate cautionary instruction to the jury]” Abboud, 438 F.3d at 584 (alteration in the original), the statements are not the type that would mislead the - 17 - 06-3731 United States v. Billman jury. Exhibit 67 was likely not even seen by the jury, and the remaining statements were addressed clearly and directly by the district court. Further, while the statements may have been prejudicial, the district court’s instruction to the jury dissipated any prejudice from the statements. As a result, the first factor weighs against Billman. The second factor requires the Court to look at whether the improper remarks were isolated or extensive. Id. The three instances complained of by Billman, spread over a multi-day trial, do not rise to the level of extensive improper remarks. Accordingly, this factor weighs against Billman as well. The third factor requires a review of whether the improper evidence and remarks were “deliberately or accidentally placed before the jury.” Exhibit 67’s introduction appears to have been an unintentional violation of the parties’ stipulation. While the prosecutor’s questioning of Slater was obviously intentional, Slater was aware that he should avoid any testimony about prior violations, making it appear that Slater’s response was not solicited by the prosecution and may have been accidental. The statements regarding the Exhibit 50 photograph were intentional, but the prosecutor at side-bar asserted that she did not intend to suggest that the photograph was evidence of the crime. It thus appears that her statements were not deliberately placed before the jury. Lastly, the court examines the strength of the evidence against the defendant. In this case, the evidence was not particularly strong. However, there was sufficient evidence supporting Billman’s possession of the 410-gauge shotgun. IV. Cumulative Errors Resulting in a Denial of a Right to a Fair Trial - 18 - 06-3731 United States v. Billman This Court reviews the cumulative effect of errors made at trial de novo in order to determine whether the errors created a trial that amounted to a denial of due process. Lundy v. Burson, 888 F.2d 467, 481 (6th Cir. 1989). Billman asserts that the denial of his suppression motion, the district court’s ruling on his insufficient evidence claim, and the prosecutor’s misconduct constitute errors that should result in a new trial. However, as addressed above, none of the district court rulings that Billman complains of above are errors, and, as such, they do not impact Billman’s due process rights and do not constitute grounds for reversal.