Opinion ID: 1367717
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 22

Heading: Reference to a Cartoon

Text: The prosecutor concluded his opening argument with the following description of a cartoon he had seen in the editorial section of a newspaper: [T]here's a picture of a hand and a gun, and smoke coming out of the barrel of the gun. And it simply says underneath it, `the murderer did not hesitate to give the death penalty to the victims. Why should you?' (41) Defendant contends this reference was improper because it eliminates any individualized consideration for the particular defendant on trial. Defendant has waived this contention too, by not objecting at trial to this portion of the prosecutor's argument. ( People v. Green, supra, 27 Cal.3d 1, 27.) We also reject the claim on the merits. Urging the jurors not to hesitate to impose the death penalty is not the equivalent of urging them to ignore their responsibility to follow the court's instructions in making their decision. In any event, this isolated remark, even if it had been erroneous, could not have been prejudicial to the defense.