Opinion ID: 1842645
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Did the lower court err in failing to grant a mistrial when the district attorney commented upon the disappearance of Carolyn Wilks and Percy Lee Samuel during his closing argument?

Text: In his closing argument, the district attorney said: Calvin Wilks' sister Carolyn and her husband were here this morning, but mysteriously disappeared. Appellant objected and moved for a mistrial, which the trial judge overruled. The district attorney's total closing argument is not in the record and it is not possible for this Court to ascertain in what context the statement was made. In Peyton v. State, 286 So.2d 817 (Miss. 1973), the Court said: [W]e do not have the advantage that the trial judge has of hearing the argument as a whole. The trial judge has a peculiar and distinct advantage of the judges of this court in judging upon such questions, because he is not only familiar with the evidence and the atmosphere of the case, as it may be called, but he has heard the entire argument and knows the setting that the language complained of has in connection with the argument on both sides of a case. (286 So.2d at 818-19) Carolyn Wilks and Percy Lee Samuel were present during the trial, they were called by the state to testify on rebuttal and they were examined by the state and appellant. We are of the opinion that the remark of the district attorney under the facts and circumstances of this case does not constitute reversible error.