Opinion ID: 1057701
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: the prosecutors' closing arguments during the guilt phase of the trial

Text: Mr. Banks claims that the prosecutors made six statements during their closing arguments that require a reversal of his convictions. The State responds that Mr. Banks did not object to several of these statements during trial and that Mr. Banks did not mention any of these statements in his motion for new trial. [28] The Court of Criminal Appeals reviewed each of these statements and determined either (1) that they were not error, (2) that the trial court gave appropriate curative instructions, or (3) that the instruction was not so prejudicial as to require reversal of the conviction. A. Closing arguments have special importance in the adversarial process. Their purpose is to sharpen and to clarify the issues that must be resolved in a criminal case. Herring v. New York, 422 U.S. 853, 862, 95 S.Ct. 2550, 45 L.Ed.2d 593 (1975). They accomplish this purpose by enabling the opposing lawyers to present their theory of the case and to point out the strengths and weaknesses in the evidence to the jury. Christian v. State, 555 S.W.2d 863, 866 (Tenn.1977); 11 David L. Raybin, Tennessee Practice: Criminal Practice and Procedure § 29.01, at 72 (1985) ( Tennessee Criminal Practice and Procedure ). Thus, both the State and the defendant have an ancient right [29] to make closing arguments. See Tenn. R.Crim. P. 29. The lawyers representing the defendant and the State in a criminal trial are expected to be zealous advocates. Burlison v. State, 501 S.W.2d 801, 806 (Tenn.1973) (noting that the State is entitled to advocacy, as well as the defendant). Their closing arguments provide them with an opportunity to persuade the jury, Tennessee Criminal Practice and Procedure § 29.2, at 73, and thus they should be given great latitude in both the style and the substance of their arguments. Post v. State, 580 S.W.2d 801, 808 (Tenn.Crim.App.1978); 6 Wayne R. LaFave et al. Criminal Procedure § 24.7(b), at 456 (3d ed. 2007) ( Criminal Procedure ). Closing arguments in criminal cases have a rough and tumble quality about them, State v. Skakel, 276 Conn. 633, 888 A.2d 985, 1060-61 (2006), because they are traditionally the one place in the trial where the lawyers are given the greatest leeway in their manner of expression. Criminal Procedure § 24.7(b), at 456-57. Prosecutors are expected to pursue their cases with thoroughness and vigor within the bounds of the law and professional conduct. State v. Culbreath, 30 S.W.3d 309, 314 (Tenn.2000); Judge v. State, 539 S.W.2d 340, 344 (Tenn.Crim. App.1976). While the interests of the State are their paramount concern, their actions must be tempered by their impartial search for justice and their obligation to see to it that the defendant receives a fair trial. State v. White, 114 S.W.3d 469, 477 (Tenn.2003); Burlison v. State, 501 S.W.2d at 806; Watkins v. State, 140 Tenn. 1, 5, 203 S.W. 344, 345 (1918). In the words of Justice Sutherland, while prosecutors may strike hard blows, ... [they are] not at liberty to strike foul ones. Berger v. United States, 295 U.S. 78, 88, 55 S.Ct. 629, 79 L.Ed. 1314 (1935). A prosecutor's closing arguments have great weight on jurors. Knight v. State, 190 Tenn. 326, 332, 229 S.W.2d 501, 503 (1950); Turner v. State, 72 Tenn. 206, 210 (1879). Accordingly, a prosecutor's closing argument must be temperate, must be based on the evidence introduced at trial, and must be pertinent to the issues in the case. State v. Middlebrooks, 995 S.W.2d 550, 557 (Tenn.1999); Russell v. State, 532 S.W.2d 268, 271 (Tenn.1976). However, even though the scope and tenor of their arguments may be limited, State v. Thomas, 158 S.W.3d 361, 413 (Tenn.2005) (appendix), prosecutors, no less than defense counsel, may use colorful and forceful language in their closing arguments, as long as they do not stray from the evidence and the reasonable inferences to be drawn from the evidence, United States v. Mullins, 446 F.3d 750, 759 (8th Cir.2006), or make derogatory remarks or appeal to the jurors' prejudices, State v. Reid, 164 S.W.3d at 320-21. A criminal conviction should not be lightly overturned solely on the basis of the prosecutor's closing argument. United States v. Young, 470 U.S. 1, 11-13, 105 S.Ct. 1038, 84 L.Ed.2d 1 (1985); State v. Bane, 57 S.W.3d 411, 425 (Tenn.2001) (holding that a prosecutor's improper closing argument does not automatically warrant reversal). An improper closing argument will not constitute reversible error unless it is so inflammatory or improper that if affected the outcome of the trial to the defendant's prejudice. State v. Thacker, 164 S.W.3d 208, 244 (Tenn.2005) (appendix); State v. Cribbs, 967 S.W.2d 773, 786 (Tenn. 1998); see also State v. Reid, 164 S.W.3d at 321. When called upon to review the propriety of a prosecutor's closing argument, the court should consider: (1) the conduct at issue in light of the facts and circumstances of the case, (2) the curative measures undertaken by the trial court and the prosecution, (3) the intent of the prosecutor in making the improper argument, (4) the cumulative effect of the improper argument and any other errors in the record, and (5) the relative strengths and weaknesses of the case. State v. Reid, 164 S.W.3d at 321; State v. Middlebrooks, 995 S.W.2d at 559-60; see also Tennessee Criminal Practice and Procedure § 29.61, at 112. Trial courts have significant discretion to control closing arguments. State v. Stephenson, 195 S.W.3d 574, 603 (Tenn.2006) (appendix); Terry v. State, 46 S.W.3d 147, 156 (Tenn.2001). Ordinarily, counsel must object contemporaneously to a perceived improper argument. State v. Thomas, 158 S.W.3d at 413 (appendix); State v. Keen, 926 S.W.2d 727, 736 (Tenn. 1994). However, when flagrantly improper arguments are made, the trial court, with or without objection, should step in and take proper curative action. Watkins v. State, 140 Tenn. at 9, 203 S.W. at 346 (holding that the trial court should have given a stern rebuke promptly and voluntarily to a prosecutor who made a grossly improper argument); Turner v. State, 72 Tenn. at 210; Sparks v. State, 563 S.W.2d 564, 569 (Tenn.Crim.App.1978). Some arguments may be so exceptionally flagrant that they constitute plain error and provide grounds for reversal even if they were not objected to. State v. Reid, 91 S.W.3d at 283-84. [30] B.