Opinion ID: 182076
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Improper Closing Statement

Text: Koger’s theory of the case was apparently that Norfolk Southern’s management employees falsified evidence and misrepresented certain findings to the court. After discussing this claim, in closing remarks, counsel for Koger told the jury that they should “send a message” to Norfolk Southern. Norfolk Southern objected before counsel could finish, and the court sustained the objection. Norfolk Southern moved, following the verdict, for a new trial in part based on this improper remark. The district court denied the motion. We review a district court’s denial of a motion for a new trial for abuse of discretion. See United States v. Fulcher, 250 F.3d 244, 249 (4th Cir. 2001). Norfolk Southern claims that Koger’s statement that the jury must “send a 4 message” constituted a covert request for punitive damages, which are not available in FELA actions. Koger argues that his remarks were not improper, and that in any event, the district court sustained an objection to the remarks. We have reviewed the record, and we conclude that the “send a message” comment was not a request for punitive damages, and the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion for a new trial, especially in light of the fact that an objection to the comments was sustained. Accordingly, we affirm the district court’s judgment. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process. AFFIRMED 5