Opinion ID: 1979227
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Comments on defendant's failure to testify.

Text: Defendant next asserts the prosecutor made two statements in his closing argument to the jury that constituted an indirect comment on defendant's failure to testify. The State argues defendant is asserting a different issue on appeal with regard to the prosecutor's statements, and therefore, no issue is presented for our review. See State v. Taylor, 336 N.W.2d 721, 725-26 (Iowa 1983). The State's argument is without merit and we proceed to address the defendant's contention. Closing jury arguments were not reported, but a record was made in chambers after each alleged comment. The record shows the prosecutor first stated: [Defense counsel] did not put the defendant on trial. Approximately one hour later the prosecutor stated to the jury: [T]he defendant had the opportunity to put on evidence if he chose to. Defendant timely objected to both statements and made motions for mistrial. Trial court overruled the motions. The federal constitution prohibits a prosecutor from commenting on a defendant's failure to testify in his or her own behalf. Griffin v. California, 380 U.S. 609, 615, 85 S.Ct. 1229, 1233, 14 L.Ed.2d 106, 110 (1965); see Taylor, 336 N.W.2d at 727. Both direct and indirect comments on the accused's silence are prohibited. Taylor, 336 N.W.2d at 727. To constitute reversible error, however, defendant must show (1) the prosecutor's conduct or remarks were improper, and (2) this misconduct prejudiced defendant's substantial rights causing the defendant to be deprived of a fair trial. United States v. Hernandez, 779 F.2d 456, 458 (8th Cir.1985). To determine whether the county attorney's remarks were improper, we consider whether  the prosecutor manifestly intended to refer to the defendant's silence, or [whether] the jury would naturally and necessarily interpret the statement to be a reference to the defendant's silence.' State v. Hutchison, 341 N.W.2d 33, 39 (Iowa 1983) (quoting Catches v. United States, 582 F.2d 453, 458 (8th Cir.1978)). Further, the prosecutor's statements are not viewed in isolation, but in the context they were made. United States v. Betancourt, 734 F.2d 750, 758 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, ___, 105 S.Ct. 440, 574, 83 L.Ed.2d 365, 514 (1984); United States v. Durant, 730 F.2d 1180, 1184 (8th Cir.1984). Because trial court actually was present to hear closing arguments and observe the jury's reaction to the statements in question, we give considerable weight to trial court's recollection and rulings. See United States v. Pimentel, 654 F.2d 538, 543 (9th Cir.1981); Chadwick, 328 N.W.2d at 916. The record reflects defendant's vigorous attack on the credibility of the State's key witnesses, Diamond and Menke. The county attorney agreed in chambers that his first alleged comment was part of his closing remarks preliminary to arguing that the defense strategy was to place the State's key witnesses on trial rather than the criminally accused. This was the recollection of the court, and was uncontested by defense counsel. We will not find that the prosecutor manifestly intended to comment on defendant's right to remain silent when an equally plausible explanation exists for his or her statement. United States v. Griggs, 735 F.2d 1318, 1322 (11th Cir.1984) (per curiam). The prosecutor's statement, when viewed in the context presented here, does not demonstrate a manifest intent to comment on defendant's constitutional right to remain silent. See Durant, 730 F.2d at 1184; Hutchison, 341 N.W.2d at 39; Taylor, 336 N.W.2d at 727. Although the county attorney's point might have been better phrased, the statement at issue was not intended as a comment on defendant's failure to testify. Nor was the prosecution's first statement one the jury would naturally and necessarily understand as a comment on defendant's failure to testify. We are not required to ask whether the `jury possibly or even probably would view the challenged remark in this manner but whether the jury necessarily would have done so.' Griggs, 735 F.2d at 1324 (quoting Williams v. Wainwright, 673 F.2d 1182, 1185 (11th Cir.1982) (emphasis in original)). The second alleged comment defendant relies on came approximately one hour after the first statement. He asserts the prosecutor said: [T]he defendant had the opportunity to put on evidence if he chose to. In chambers, defense counsel objected to this statement, arguing it was an improper comment on defendant's failure to take the stand because defendant could be one of the witnesses called by the defense in presenting evidence. Trial court disagreed. Defendant asked trial court to admonish the jury and also to grant a mistrial. The court refused to grant a mistrial but agreed to (and did) admonish the jury. Trial court made clear to defense counsel, however, that it did not believe such a comment had been made. In the past we have expressed concern about prosecution arguments that focus on lack of evidence or failure to produce witnesses when the law places the burden to produce evidence on the State, not the defendant. See State v. Nelson, 234 N.W.2d 368, 372 (Iowa 1975). However, not all remarks relating to the evidence are forbidden. A prosecutor may properly comment upon the defendant's failure to present exculpatory evidence, so long as it is not phrased to call attention to the defendant's own failure to testify. United States v. Soulard, 730 F.2d 1292, 1306 (9th Cir.1984); see United States v. Singer, 732 F.2d 631, 637 (8th Cir.1984). In United States v. Pimentel , the prosecutor, during closing arguments, said, Ladies and gentlemen [of the jury], you have a right to ask for ... evidence. 654 F.2d at 543 n. 3. Defendant argued this statement was a comment on his failure to testify and an attempt to shift the burden of proof. The district court determined the statement was only an attempt to underscore the significance of certain evidence compared to other evidence. Id. at 543. The court noted the prosecutor did not say the defendant had to produce evidence. Id. The Ninth Circuit affirmed, noting it had given considerable weight to the district court's determination because that court was present to hear the remark and observe the jury. Moreover, the court of appeals found the prosecutor's remark was in response to opposing counsel's argument and strategy. Id. at 543-44. Similarly, this prosecutor's statement advanced his asserted strategy to thwart defendant's effort to divert the focus to the State and to impeach the credibility of the State's witnesses. The remark did not shift the burden of proof or refer to defendant's failure to testify. The prosecutor stated the defendant had a right to put on evidence, not that he had the burden to put on evidence. See id. at 543. Further, the prosecutor could have been pointing to the weight of evidence produced by the State. See Soulard, 730 F.2d at 1306-07 & n. 14. The prosecutor's second statement is not one the jury necessarily would understand to be a comment on the defendant's failure to testify. Nor is it one that the prosecutor manifestly intended as a comment on defendant's silence. [3] We hold the county attorney's statements in closing arguments did not violate defendant's constitutional rights.