Opinion ID: 1262799
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Commonwealth's Opening Statement

Text: Beavers assigns error to the trial court's failure to grant his motion for a mistrial based on comments made by the Commonwealth during its opening statement at the guilt phase of the trial. Beavers complains that the Commonwealth's reference on five occasions to recommendations by the jury regarding the penalty, and the reference to the recordation of the proceedings, left the jury with the improper impression that its responsibility in fixing a punishment would be lessened by virtue of further appeal of the case or review of the sentence by others. Caldwell v. Mississippi, 472 U.S. 320, 326-28, 105 S.Ct. 2633, 2638-39, 86 L.Ed.2d 231 (1985). Beavers also claims that the Commonwealth Attorney's statement that [w]hen we get through with the Commonwealth's case and whatever case the Defendant decides to offer, required a mistrial because it created an improper impression that the defendant was required to produce evidence to prove his innocence. Correction of improper conduct or statements during oral argument must be sought by counsel in a timely manner. Cheng v. Commonwealth, 240 Va. 26, 38, 393 S.E.2d 599, 605-06 (1990). This requirement affords the trial court the opportunity to provide cautionary instructions when appropriate to correct the alleged error. In this case, Beavers did not object to any one of the allegedly prejudicial comments at the time they were uttered, but rather, waited until the entire statement was completed. At that time, Beavers moved for a mistrial. Beavers's failure to object in a timely fashion and seek correction of the alleged errors constitutes a waiver of these claims under Rule 5:25. [2]