Opinion ID: 1442813
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Judicial and Prosecutorial Misconduct

Text: Martin claims that several comments made at trial by the judge and by the county attorney amounted to misconduct on their parts. Some of the judge's comments were addressed on direct appeal, where this Court held that they did not constitute reversible error. Martin, 736 P.2d at 479-80. As the State points out in its brief, those claims are barred from further consideration in post-conviction proceedings. McKenzie v. Osborne (1981), 195 Mont. 26, 32-34, 640 P.2d 368, 372-73. As to those judicial and prosecutorial comments not raised on direct appeal, § 46-21-105, MCA, governs: What grounds for relief waived if not raised. All grounds for relief claimed by a petitioner under this chapter must be raised in his original or amended petition. Any grounds not so raised are waived unless the court on hearing a subsequent petition finds grounds for relief asserted therein which could not reasonably have been raised in the original or amended petition. When a petitioner has been afforded a direct appeal of his conviction, grounds for relief that could reasonably have been raised on direct appeal may not be raised in his original or amended petition. [Emphasis supplied.] We hold that the claims of prosecutorial and judicial misconduct which were not raised on direct appeal are procedurally barred in this petition.