Opinion ID: 214784
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Prosecutor's Comments About Alexander's New Boyfriend and New Man

Text: Tucker argues, for the first time on appeal, that the prosecutor's comments about Alexander's new man or new boyfriend were not based on evidence that had been presented at trial. Tucker also takes issue with the prosecutor's repeated comments that Tucker lied. We determine, however, that the prosecutor's statements were reasonable inferences drawn from the evidence presented. When Tucker was cross-examined at the related state court hearing, he testified that he slept in the small bedroomthe one that the officers testified was filled with children's toysand that Alexander, with whom he was living, was mad at him because he didn't want to be with her. He further asserted that Alexander had a boyfriend. This testimonycontrasted with the evidence that Tucker and Alexander had recently moved into the apartment, and that Tucker was still living in the apartment allowed the prosecutor to infer that Tucker lied in the state court hearing when he suggested that the personal effects and clothing in the master bedroom belonged to Alexander's new boyfriend. It was not plain error for the district court to allow these comments.