Opinion ID: 487837
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Court's Instruction About Bowles' Opportunity to Testify

Text: 31 LaChance further argues that the court's reference to Bowles' failure to testify in an instruction given to the jury during his closing argument impermissibly commented upon LaChance's right not to testify. However, it is clear that this admonition referred to Bowles alone. 32 Following two comments made by Bowles, 6 the court addressed the jury as follows: 33 I have told Mr. Bowles earlier--and this is a difficult situation. This is not usual, ladies and gentlemen, and now I'll tell you that he had an opportunity to testify under oath where he could have been cross-examined by the prosecution. He chose not to do that, and therefore, anything he says is not evidence in the case. It's not sworn testimony. 34 Transcript at 1593. 35 This comment merely placed Bowles' argument in perspective by noting that its substance was not to be taken as evidence. It did not comment upon Bowles' right to remain silent or, by implication, LaChance's right to do so. Cf. Diecidue, 603 F.2d at 553. 36