Opinion ID: 2520250
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Issue 3: Did the prosecutor's misstatements of the law in closing argument deny White a fair trial?

Text: White next argues that the prosecutor misstated the law of voluntary manslaughter in her closing argument, denying him a fair trial. Although no objection was lodged, a misstatement of controlling law denies a criminal defendant his or her right to due process, and this court must review such an alleged error on appeal despite the absence of an objection at trial. State v. Morton, 277 Kan. 575, 583-84, 86 P.3d 535 (2004). Since we are reversing and remanding because of error on issue one, however, we need not determine whether error on issue three actually denied White a fair trial. We do observe that in the rebuttal portion of the prosecutor's closing argument, she misstated the law regarding voluntary manslaughter, suggesting it contained no requirement of intent. The district court interrupted her twice and had counsel approach. After the last bench conference, the court then correctly advised the jury of the controlling law and cured the problem: Members of the Jury, the Court wishes to, simply, remind you of the jury instructions that I earlier gave you and to read those instructions closely. And when you do, you will see that premeditated first-degree murder, murder in the second-degree, and voluntary manslaughter all require a finding on your part that the killing was intentional. You may proceed. As a result, although repetition of the prosecutorial error at the new trial is possible, it is highly unlikely.