Opinion ID: 2137352
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Overall Effect of Alleged Errors

Text: We have independently considered whether the overall effect of all the errors alleged by Naylor might have denied him a fair trial. We are satisfied that the great bulk of evidence to which there was no objection at trial amply establishes Naylor's guilt as an accomplice in the first degree murder of Lange. We note that the final instructions to the jury by the trial court stressed the elements of the charged offenses all related to Lange, not to other unknown victims, which would reduce any tendency on the part of the jury to convict Naylor for Lange's murder because it believed he had committed other bad acts. The jury was specifically instructed to presume Naylor innocent during its deliberations, and to draw no adverse inferences from his election not to testify. Therefore, we conclude that there was no cumulative prejudicial effect from the alleged errors that might have denied Naylor a fair trial.