Opinion ID: 1394991
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 27

Heading: Personal Belief

Text: (34a) Defendant also claims the prosecutor improperly argued his personal belief to the jury. [32] (35) It is a general rule that a prosecutor may not express a personal opinion where there is substantial danger that jurors will interpret this as being based on information at the prosecutor's command, other than evidence adduced at trial. ( People v. Bain (1971) 5 Cal.3d 839, 848 [97 Cal. Rptr. 684, 489 P.2d 564].) It is not misconduct, however, to merely postulate what the evidence would arguably prove. ( People v. Ryner (1985) 164 Cal. App.3d 1075, 1086 [211 Cal. Rptr. 140].) (34b) Here we find no misconduct. The prosecutor's expressions of belief were based on the evidence in the record. There was no indication in the statements that the prosecutor's belief was in any way founded on secret information not in evidence. The prosecutor in fact several times reminded the jury that in reaching its verdict it had the duty to independently examine the evidence and follow the law.