Opinion ID: 1990916
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Instructional Challenges

Text: Evans and McGee argue that it was plain error for the trial court not to give a special cautionary instruction related to the nature of the charges after the prosecutor, in opening statement, improperly placed the jurors in the position of the complaining witness. The court sustained an objection to the remarks and admonished the prosecutor that it was improper to do so. The trial court later gave an instruction that the jury should not allow the nature of the charges to affect their verdict. We find no abuse of discretion in the trial court's corrective action, and clearly no plain error in its failure to do more sua sponte. These appellants also contend that the trial court erred in failing to give instructions on confessions, identification and the absence of flight. They did not request the instructions, nor did they respond when the court asked for objections or requests for additional instructions. Therefore, again, we review for plain error. We cannot say that the court plainly erred in failing to give the instructions. The government did not seek to admit Evans' statement as substantive evidence, but rather used it to impeach him. The standard instruction that appellants argue should have been given states that it applies where the statement is used as substantive evidence. CRIMINAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA No. 2.48 (4th ed.2002). The identification instruction was not essential, as the defense theory was not misidentification, but that the requisite intent was not established, and the court so instructed the jury. In any event, appellants have shown no prejudice, as they were not precluded from arguing any evidence pertaining to identification or misidentification. For their claim that the trial court should have given an absence of flight instruction, appellants have cited no supporting authority. However, there is authority to the contrary. See, e.g., State v. Pettway, 39 Conn.App. 63, 664 A.2d 1125, 1133-34 (1995) (court has no obligation to give absence of flight instruction); State v. Jennings, 19 Conn.App. 265, 562 A.2d 545, 548 (1989) (court's refusal to instruct on absence of flight as consciousness of innocence is consistent with the law). We cannot say that the trial court plainly erred in failing to give an instruction for which there is no authority. See Brawner, supra, 745 A.2d at 357 (the error must be obvious and clear under current law).