Opinion ID: 867480
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Personal Attacks on the Integrity of Defense Counsel

Text: ¶ 60 Armstrong alleges that Eazer engaged in numerous outrageous and inappropriate personal attacks on defense counsel throughout pretrial and trial proceedings, and that these attacks compel reversal of his conviction. We agree that the attorneys were mutually antagonistic at times during the proceedings and we do not condone such behavior. The record before us, however, does not require reversal of Armstrong's convictions as the acrimonious conduct occurred outside the presence of the jury. ¶ 61 The criteria for determining whether remarks by a prosecutor require reversal are (1) whether the prosecutor's actions called jurors' attention to matters the jury was not justified in considering in determining its verdict and (2) the probability that the jurors were in fact influenced by the remarks. See State v. Lee, 189 Ariz. 608, 616, 944 P.2d 1222, 1230 (1997). ¶ 62 Taken in context, Armstrong's allegations of prosecutorial misconduct are without merit. At various times, over more than twelve months of proceedings, Eazer remarked that defense counsel distorted facts, attempted to cast the State in a bad light, played games, made atrocious and disingenuous arguments, pulled stunts, lied, made misrepresentations about his knowledge of crucial evidence, and failed to disclose such crucial evidence. The remarks were made, however, in the absence of the jury, during a handful of contentious arguments before the judge. [8] ¶ 63 The record reflects Eazer's frustration and, at times, anger with defense counsel. However, as the State points out, the record also reflects times when even the trial judge expressed frustration with defense attorney's posturing, failure to timely disclose witness lists and exhibits, misstatements of the record, and inability to set a realistic trial date. While defense counsel's questionable conduct does not justify impropriety by Eazer, it does indicate defense counsel was more than a mere onlooker in the creation of an acrimonious environment. ¶ 64 We further note that the level of antipathy between the attorneys absolutely was unacceptable. At one pretrial hearing, the court noted the following: I have never seen such animosity between the attorneys. It is very unhealthy for everybody. There is so much at stake... between Ms. Eazer and Mr. Kurlander, I have not seen this ever, either as judge or a lawyer and it is not a good situation. We share the trial judge's sentiment. Even so, we conclude the attorneys' incivility did not violate rights essential to Armstrong's defense. Because the acrimonious and inappropriate remarks occurred outside the presence of the jury, reversal of Armstrong's convictions is not warranted.