Opinion ID: 2608558
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the prosecutorial statements

Text: Appellant's final contention is that remarks made by the prosecutor referring to the defendant and his counsel during the trial prejudiced the jury against him. Although improper comments by the prosecution are presumed to be prejudicial, Pacheco v. State, 82 Nev. 172, 414 P.2d 100 (1966), in this case the evidence of guilt is so overwhelming that we conclude that the improper comments by the prosecutor did not deprive the defendant of his right to a fair trial. Garner v. State, 78 Nev. 366, 374 P.2d 525 (1962). Nevertheless, in view of the nature of the conduct on the part of the prosecutor in this case, we see fit to note in the margin the most egregious instances which have been cited to us. [1] We express our strong condemnation of this conduct on the part of any member of the bar of this Court; and we reiterate our willingness to impose appropriate sanctions in cases where the prejudice resulting from such conduct requires reversal for a new trial. Moser v. State, 91 Nev. 809, 814, 544 P.2d 424, 428 (Gunderson, C.J., concurring). The judgments of conviction are affirmed. GUNDERSON, C.J., BATJER and MANOUKIAN, JJ., and YOUNG, [2] District Judge, concur.