Opinion ID: 160912
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Closing Statements

Text: Martinez objects to several statements in the prosecution’s closing arguments that highlighted C.’s trauma. In particular, the prosecution closed with these words: And certainly this kid was trashed as any victim of sexual assault is always trashed. And yes, she had behavioral problems, but I ask you, who is the thief in this case? Who stole [C.]’s childhood? Who violated this child and told you how awful she feels, and she can’t even tell you exactly what he did to her. I ask you, ladies and gentlemen, to convict that man of both counts of aggravated sexual abuse of [C.] Martinez argues that these and other similar statements were inflammatory and appealed to the jury’s sympathy. “We do not condone comments encouraging the jury to allow sympathy, sentiment, or prejudice to influence its decision.” Duvall v. Reynolds, 139 F.3d 768, 795 (10th Cir. 1998). Nonetheless, if “it [is] probable that the nature of the crime produced sympathy for the victim long before the prosecutor gave his - 11 - closing remarks,” the remarks may not be prejudicial. Id. The trauma to C. was hideous no matter who was responsible, and it was likely to produce sympathy. The prosecution’s remarks did not add to the jury’s sympathy in any significant way. The defense counsel cautioned the jury not to be swayed by sympathy, and the prosecution disclaimed any intention to inject sympathy into the deliberations. The jury instructions stated that the verdict had to be based “solely upon the evidence, without prejudice or sympathy.” Neither of the cases that Martinez relies upon is relevant. In United States v. Lowder, 5 F.3d 467, 473-74 (10th Cir. 1993), we noted that it was improper for the prosecution to state that the victims had nobody to speak for them, but we found the judge’s curative instruction (given after a contemporaneous objection) to be sufficient. Thus, we found no reversible error. In United States v. Payne, 2 F.3d 706, 712 (6th Cir. 1993), the court found misconduct when the prosecution repeatedly referred to facts not in evidence during the trial. The court noted that these remarks went “beyond anything in the evidence or anything invited by the defense.” Id. at 715. Here, by contrast, there was no reference made to facts not in evidence. Under the circumstances, we find no plain error in the prosecution’s closing statements. - 12 -