Opinion ID: 794279
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Effect of any misconduct

Text: 33 Even where this court finds that the government has committed misconduct, we must determine its cumulative effect, the strength of the evidence against the defendant, and whether the district court cured any error. Beckman, 222 F.3d at 516. Although this analysis is altered slightly because we are reviewing for plain error, see United States v. Pirani, 406 F.3d 543 (8th Cir.2005) (en banc) (stating plain error standard), both inquiries consider whether the defendant was substantially prejudiced by the error. 34 In this instance, we find the cumulative effect of the errors do not require reversal. As detailed more fully above, the government established that Wicahpe stabbed Bissonette in retaliation for Bissonette's attack on Wicahpe's father. Eyewitnesses testified that Wicahpe sought revenge upon seeing his father injured. He recklessly drove a vehicle at a high rate of speed until he reached Bissonette's location. Upon entering the residence, Wicahpe armed himself with a knife, broke the telephone, and after a short time, stabbed Bissonette. Wicahpe argues that Petan's acquittal shows that the evidence against him was weak, but the evidence presented against Petan was quite different than the evidence presented against Wicahpe. Accordingly, although we find the prosecutor's comments improper, we nonetheless affirm Wicahpe's conviction.