Opinion ID: 787816
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Prosecution's Isolated Comments

Text: 51 Hicks first complains that, during its opening statement, the prosecution implied his guilt by emphasizing the importance of the indictment. When read in context, the prosecution was only reading the charges. Even if this was somehow improper, it was an isolated statement, the evidence of guilt was overwhelming, and the trial court gave an instruction that the indictment was not evidence. See United States v. Bond, 22 F.3d 662, 668 (6th Cir.1994) (finding prosecution's reference to indictment did not imply guilt and that instruction cured any possible error). 52 Hicks next complains that the prosecution told the jury that the trial court did not believe his intoxication or insanity defenses. These comments concern the prosecution's statements that the trial court would not give an instruction on intoxication/insanity because of the lack of supporting evidence. This claim fails for two reasons. First, the Ohio Supreme Court has approved these types of statements. See State v. Smith, 97 Ohio St.3d 367, 780 N.E.2d 221, 234 (2002) (finding it was permissible for the prosecutor to point out to the jury that the evidence did not warrant such an instruction on intoxication). Second, both intoxication and insanity are affirmative defenses in Ohio. See State v. Rupp, No. CA2001-06-135, 2002 WL 517968, at  (Ohio Ct.App. Apr. 8, 2002) (intoxication); 11 State v. Filiaggi, 86 Ohio St.3d 230, 714 N.E.2d 867, 878 (1999) (insanity). Even if the statements improperly intimated that the trial court believed that the affirmative defenses were meritless, see United States v. Sullivan, 919 F.2d 1403, 1425 (10th Cir.1990), they came during the guilt phase. Thus, even if improper, the comments regarding the intoxication/insanity instruction were not prejudicial since the evidence of guilt was overwhelming. 53 Hicks also complains that the prosecution suggested that his defense counsel had no doubt that he was guilty and that they knew he committed these very dastardly acts. While it is generally improper for the prosecution to imply that defense counsel thinks the defendant is guilty, see generally Gregory G. Sarno, Annotation, Propriety and rejudicial effect of prosecutor's argument giving jury impression that defense counsel believes accused guilty , 89 A.L.R.3d 263 (1979), defense counsel did say the evidence is going to show ... he committed these dastardly acts. Thus, the claim fails.