Opinion ID: 1989359
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Claim of Improper Argument

Text: All of the appellants argue that the prosecutor's rebuttal argument was improper and warrants reversal. Principally, they challenge a portion of the argument where the prosecutor stated that [e]very defendant is entitled to aathe strongest defense possible that could be put on. They contend that this portion of the argument impermissibly shifted the burden of proof and suggested that they were required to put on a defense. They also argue that the prosecutor exceeded the scope of the defense arguments by outlining the application of the aiding and abetting instruction to the facts of this case. Before addressing each of these claims, we outline briefly the legal principles that will guide our decision. In evaluating claims of so-called prosecutive error, we must determine first whether the challenged comments were improper. [8] Peoples v. United States, 640 A.2d 1047, 1056 (D.C.1994) (citing McGrier v. United States, 597 A.2d 36, 41 (D.C.1991) (other citations omitted)). If the statements were improper, we then consider, viewing the comments in context, `the gravity of the [impropriety], its relationship to the issue of guilt, the effect of any corrective action by the trial judge, and the strength of the government's case.' McGrier, 597 A.2d at 41 (quoting Dixon v. United States, 565 A.2d 72, 75 (D.C.1989)). If it is determined that the argument was improper, and the appellant has preserved the issue for appellate review, we will reverse only if it is shown that substantial prejudice resulted. Id. (citing Williams v. United States, 483 A.2d 292, 297 (D.C.1984), cert. denied, 474 U.S. 906, 106 S.Ct. 275, 88 L.Ed.2d 236 (1985)). If the claim was not preserved in the trial court, we review for plain error. See Plummer v. United States, 813 A.2d 182, 190 (D.C.2002) (citing Watts v. United States, 362 A.2d 706, 709 (D.C.1976)). Under the plain error standard, we will reverse only if the error is obvious and `so clearly prejudicial to substantial rights as to jeopardize the very fairness and integrity of the trial.' Id. Applying theses principles, we consider appellants' claims. Appellants argue that the prosecutor's argument to the effect that every defendant is entitled to the strongest possible defense impermissibly shifted the burden of proof and suggested to the jury that they were required to put on a defense. To fairly assess appellants' argument, the prosecutor's remarks should be placed in context in order to better understand their import. The prosecutor presented the argument in the following way: . . . And the Judge will instruct you on reasonable doubt, and the Judge will instruct you on your duties. And one of the things that the Court will say to you is that if the Government has not proved its case, then you must find the defendant innocent. And we all in this courtroom, the Judge, the defense counsel, all of us believe in our system of justice. [Defense counsel] is absolutely right, it is the best. Every defendant is entitled to aathe strongest defense possible that could be put on. Every defendant is entitled to come before a jury of their peers. And we who live in the city are responsible, not one, not a judge, not a prosecutor, but jurors from the city are responsible for making that decision. (Emphasis added.) Of course, every defendant in a criminal trial has a right not to testify or not to produce any evidence, and the burden of proving guilt rests with the government. Whether the prosecutor's comment, reasonably construed, can be interpreted to suggest otherwise, i.e., that the defense had some obligation to present evidence, if they had any, is at least arguable. The prosecutor stated that the defendants were entitled to the strongest possible defense that could be put on. Here, however, each of the defendants rested without testifying or calling witnesses. One not familiar with the trial process might have taken the comment to mean that the appellants, who were entitled to put on the best defense possible, should put on evidence, if they had any. Detracting from this interpretation is that during that same portion of the argument, the prosecutor informed the jury that the court would instruct them that if the government did not prove its case, the jury must find the defendants innocent. Thus, he informed the jury of the government's burden to prove its case or return a verdict of not guilty, without the need for the defense to present anything. A reasonable interpretation of the disputed remark might be that the defendants had a right to have counsel to challenge vigorously the government' case, as they did here. Nevertheless, the prosecutor's ambiguous argument was risky because of its potential to leave the jury with the impression that the defendants, who had presented no defense witnesses, were expected to provide proof of innocence, if any existed, instead of relying upon the government's burden to prove guilt. See Golsun v. United States, 592 A.2d 1054, 1059 (D.C.1991). Assuming arguendo that the comment was improper, and applying the relevant factors, we perceive no substantial prejudice warranting reversal. [9] See Diaz v. United States, 716 A.2d 173, 181 (D.C. 1998) (citation omitted). In determining whether substantial prejudice resulted from the comments, we consider `whether we can say, with fair assurance, after pondering all that happened without stripping the erroneous action from the whole, that the judgment was not substantially swayed by the error.' Id. (quoting ( Phillip ) Dyson v. United States, 418 A.2d 127, 132 (D.C.1980)). In making this determination, we consider, in context, the remark's gravity, its relationship to guilt, the effect of the court's corrective instructions, and the strength of the government's case. McGrier, supra, 597 A.2d at 41 (citation omitted). The gravity of the remark was ameliorated by its context in the overall argument as previously discussed. First, it was a single remark in a lengthy trial, made as a part of the prosecutor's description of the advantages of our system of justice. Under these circumstances, the severity of the remark was lessened. Second, the trial court took strong corrective measures, expanding significantly the standard jury instruction on burden of proof in final instructions. [10] In addition, the prosecutor reminded the jury immediately upon resuming argument that it is the government which has the burden of proof and that this remained with it at all times. More importantly, the court's instructions made clear that the burden of proof rested with the government, and it did not shift even slightly throughout the trial. Given the court's detailed and clear instruction on burden of proof, we perceive no way that the jury could have been misled by the prosecutor's single remark to believe that the burden of proof shifted to the defense at any time. Further, factoring in the direct relationship of the challenged comment to the issue of guilt and the strength of the government's case, we are persuaded that substantial prejudice warranting reversal did not result. Of course, the jury's understanding of where the burden of proof rests is a critical factor in its determination of a defendant's guilt. However, for the reasons previously stated, we are satisfied that they were well informed on the law on this point. Finally, the government's case against appellants was strong. For all of these reasons, we conclude that the challenged remark, assuming it was improper, was insufficient to result in substantial prejudice. See McGrier, supra, 597 A.2d at 41.
Appellants argue that the prosecutor improperly exceeded the scope of their arguments by arguing in rebuttal the aiding and abetting theory. Generally, the prosecutor should not develop new arguments on rebuttal. Hall v. United States, 540 A.2d 442, 448 (D.C.1988) (citing Moore v. United States, 120 U.S.App. D.C. 173, 175, 344 F.2d 558, 560 (1965) (other citation omitted)). However, this is not an inflexible rule, leaving to the trial court to determine, in its discretion, how far the rebuttal may extend. Id. (citing Bailey v. State, 440 A.2d 997, 1003 (Del.1982)). A principal purpose of the rule is to protect the defense from surprise. Id. Here, the argument was not a surprise, as the government had addressed its aiding and abetting theory in its opening argument. Thus, appellants had at least an opportunity to respond to it following the initial argument, even if not to the rebuttal. None of the appellants addressed the aiding and abetting issue in closing argument. In Hall, in assessing a similar argument, we found it crucial to finding no abuse of discretion in the trial court's ruling that the defense counsel had touched slightly upon the alibi theory that the government argued in rebuttal. 540 A.2d at 448-49. Indeed, we said that if defense counsel had said nothing at all about it, it would have been a different case. Id. Here, however, it seems clear that the defense found no reason to address the aiding and abetting argument when it had the opportunity. In light of the arguments appellants made, which essentially challenged the credibility of the witnesses and value of the evidence as grounds for reasonable doubt, it seems that defense counsel made a rational judgment not to address directly the government's aiding and abetting theory. Under these circumstances, unlike those in Hall, we do not consider it controlling to our decision that the defense may not have opened the door to the argument. This is not a case where the prosecutor made only perfunctory remarks in opening argument, reserving the real argument until rebuttal so as to deprive appellants of any chance to address critical points. See Bailey, supra, 440 A.2d at 1003. [11] Therefore, we find no basis for reversal.