Opinion ID: 775224
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Misconduct in Closing Arguments

Text: 78 Defendant contends that during closing arguments the prosecutor misstated the evidence, argued evidence known to be false, improperly vouched for one of the government's witnesses, and aroused the national biases of the jury against Emuegbunem. The following comments during the prosecution's closing argument form the basis for these objections: 79 Before I launch into my closing argument, I would like to do two things. First of all, I would like to thank you for coming in and serving on this jury here. I know a lot of times it might have been tedious and it might have been painful, economically or otherwise, but quite frankly, it is the jury system that is the fuel for our whole system of government. And if you get a chance if ever to compare the various systems, the legal systems in the world, you will find that this particular system is, by far, the best. Because we have 12 of our citizens to come in and determine the guilt or innocence as opposed to some of other type or an [imam] or some holy man or some type of a star chamber, if you recall your history, that people who have somewhat predetermined ideas as to what a person's fate should be. And, as I said, this particular system is the best. 80