Opinion ID: 393800
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Final Argument

Text: 36 Carl Lynch and Milton Battle claim prejudice resulted from statements made by counsel for their codefendants in their final arguments to the jury. The most objectionable statement was made by Michael Frisch, counsel for Myrtle Lynch. He said: I'm not going to insult your intelligence. The first premise I begin from is the Government has proved beyond any doubt that Carl Lynch was guilty of running a drug conspiracy. Tr. at 9913. Although no objection was made, Judge Oberdorfer sua sponte called all counsel to the bench for a conference. He concluded that a statement to the jury was necessary. He instructed them: I want to comment on the remarks that Mr. Frisch made to the effect of the Government's proof with respect to Mr. Lynch. That is argument. That is for you to decide. Tr. at 9914-15. 37 Carl Lynch argues that the statement made by his wife's lawyer, and similar statements made in other closing arguments, irreparably prejudiced his chance for a fair trial. Battle argues that the statement, although not explicitly naming him, clearly implicated him because it suggested that the Government had established the existence of the conspiracy beyond any doubt. He argues that the district court erred in not declaring a mistrial, even though he acknowledges that no such motion was made. 14 Brief of Milton Battle at 44. The Government urges that the statement was fair comment on the evidence, and that in any event hostility among codefendants does not prohibit joint trials. Finally, it suggests that any prejudice was relieved by the court's immediate cautionary instruction. We agree. 38 The parties have not directed our attention to any cases presenting a similar issue. We find some assistance in cases such as United States v. Ehrlichman, 546 F.2d 910, 929 (D.C.Cir.1976), cert. denied, 429 U.S. 1120, 97 S.Ct. 1155, 51 L.Ed.2d 570 (1977), and United States v. Haldeman, 559 F.2d 31, 71 (D.C.Cir.1976) (en banc), cert. denied, 431 U.S. 933, 97 S.Ct. 2641, 53 L.Ed.2d 250 (1977), which held that  'the mere presence of hostility among defendants or the desire of one to exculpate himself by inculpating another (are) insufficient grounds to require separate trials.'  546 F.2d at 929 (quoting United States v. Barber, 442 F.2d 517, 530 (3d Cir.), cert. denied, 404 U.S. 846, 958, 92 S.Ct. 148, 327, 30 L.Ed.2d 83, 275 (1971)); see 559 F.2d at 71. Cf. United States v. Vinson, 606 F.2d 149, 154 (6th Cir. 1979) ((a)bsent some indication that the antagonism between co-defendants misled or confused the jury, the mere fact that co-defendants attempt to blame each other does not compel severance), cert. denied, 444 U.S. 1074, 100 S.Ct. 1020, 62 L.Ed.2d 756 (1980). 39 Lynch claims this principle is inapposite since he is not arguing that the trial court erred in failing to sever his case. Implicit in the holding that hostility among codefendants does not necessarily require separate trials, however, is a recognition that such hostility may surface at the joint trial without unduly prejudicing the object of the hostile remark. 40 We believe the district court acted properly. As soon as Myrtle Lynch's lawyer made the objectionable statement, the court interrupted the argument and instructed the jury that the lawyer's remark was only argument, not evidence. None of the defendants objected or moved for a mistrial. See note 13 supra. Under the circumstances we find no error.