Opinion ID: 1060826
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 24

Heading: closing argument during guilt phase

Text: The appellant also contends that the prosecutor committed reversible error by interjecting personal opinions during his closing argument. The State contends that the argument was proper, or, in the alternative, merely harmless error. Closing arguments are an important tool for both parties during the trial process. Consequently, attorneys are usually given wide latitude in the scope of their arguments, see Bigbee, 885 S.W.2d at 809, and trial courts, in turn, are accorded wide discretion in their control of those arguments. See State v. Zirkle, 910 S.W.2d 874, 888 (Tenn.Crim.App.), perm. to app. denied, (Tenn.1995). Moreover, a trial court's finding will not be reversed, absent an abuse of that discretion. State v. Payton, 782 S.W.2d 490, 496 (Tenn.Crim.App.1989) (citations omitted). Such scope and discretion, however, is not completely unfettered. To determine whether the prosecutor committed reversible misconduct during closing argument, the reviewing court must ascertain whether the improper conduct could have affected the verdict to the prejudice of the defendant. Harrington v. State, 215 Tenn. 338, 385 S.W.2d 758, 759 (1965); see also Judge v. State, 539 S.W.2d 340, 343 (Tenn.Crim.App.1976). Five factors should be considered in making this determination: 1) the conduct complained of, viewed in light of the facts and circumstances of the case; 2) the curative measures undertaken by the court and the prosecutor; 3) the intent of the prosecutor in making the improper statement; 4) the cumulative effect of the improper conduct and any other errors in the record; and 5) the relative strength or weakness of the case. State v. Buck, 670 S.W.2d 600, 609 (Tenn.1984); Judge, 539 S.W.2d at 344. During the State's closing argument, the following colloquy occurred: MR. HENDERSON: I hope at the end of all of this trial and my other trials, I guess, I can say that, as the Apostle Paul wrote MR. JOHNSON: Your Honor, he is putting his personal observation into closing argument. MR. HENDERSON: It's not my personal feelings, Your Honor. THE COURT: Overruled. This it [sic] argument. You may proceed, Mr. Henderson. MR. HENDERSON: I've done what I can to present the truth to you, as much of it as is possible this long after the offense and given the nature of the crime and the evidence. I submit to you that I can say that I have fought the good fight, I have run my course, I have kept the faith. I want you 12 to be able to say the same when it is over. Thank you. Closing arguments must be temperate, must be based upon evidence introduced during trial, and must be pertinent to the issues being tried. Coker v. State, 911 S.W.2d 357, 368 (Tenn.Crim.App.), perm. to app. denied, (Tenn.1995); State v. Tyson, 603 S.W.2d 748, 754 (Tenn.Crim.App.1980). The prosecutor must not express a personal belief or opinion, but whether that qualifies as a misconduct often depends upon the specific terminology used. Coker, 911 S.W.2d at 368. The appellant claims the prosecutor expressed his personal opinion by stating he had presented the truth to the jury. However, the jury was instructed that it possessed the ultimate duty of deciding the truth. Moreover, as noted by the court in Coker , if the argument contains phrases such as I think or I submit, it is unlikely to be adjudged a personal opinion. Id. The appellant further contends that the prosecutor improperly compared himself to the Apostle Paul. It is settled law in this state that references to biblical passages or religious law during a criminal trial are inappropriate. See State v. Stephenson, 878 S.W.2d 530, 541 (Tenn.1994); Kirkendoll v. State, 198 Tenn. 497, 281 S.W.2d 243, 254 (1955). Such references, however, do not constitute reversible error unless the appellant can clearly establish that they had some effect on the verdict. Stephenson, 878 S.W.2d at 541; Kirkendoll, 281 S.W.2d at 254. In this case, no reference to religious law was made. We conclude this isolated remark had no affect upon the verdict in this case. Moreover, we find no comparison by the prosecutor of himself to the Apostle Paul. This issue is without merit.