Opinion ID: 444550
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Plaintiff's Summation

Text: 22 Kawasaki argues that plaintiff's counsel's summation deprived it of a fair trial by repeatedly referring to a letter from Brent to his psychiatrist listing activities that Brent could no longer perform, which letter was not in evidence; by offering counsel's personal opinions; and by making improper attacks on opposing counsel. Kawasaki made no objections to any of these statements during the summation, however, and as it has failed to show any flagrant abuse, its present arguments have been waived. See United States v. Perry, 643 F.2d 38, 51 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 454 U.S. 835, 102 S.Ct. 138, 70 L.Ed.2d 115 (1981); cf. United States v. Socony-Vacuum Oil Co., 310 U.S. 150, 238-39, 60 S.Ct. 811, 851, 84 L.Ed. 1129 (1940). 23 Even were we to consider Kawasaki's arguments, however, we would find them to be without merit. For example, although Brent's letter to his psychiatrist was not physically admitted into evidence, the list of acts Brent could not perform was before the jury because the psychiatrist had read the list to the jury--without objection from Kawasaki. Much of the material in the letter was also testified to by other witnesses. 24 Nor would the other statements of plaintiff's counsel to which Kawasaki now objects require reversal. We agree that counsel's references to his own hard work were out of place and that counsel could more properly have suggested that certain evidence did not present a complete picture without repeatedly referring to opposing counsel in such disparaging terms as masters of the half-truth. There is no indication in this case, however, that the minds of the jurors [were] so influenced by such incidental statements ... that they would not appraise the evidence [as to Kawasaki's negligence] objectively and dispassionately. United States v. Socony-Vacuum Oil Co., 310 U.S. at 239, 60 S.Ct. at 851.