Opinion ID: 4237534
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Videotapes in jury deliberations

Text: ¶84 Having concluded that the trial court’s ruling denying admission of the tapes was not an abuse of discretion, we next consider whether the trial court’s refusal to allow the jury to re-watch the tapes during deliberations was fundamental error. We conclude that it was not. ¶85 Arizona Rule of Criminal Procedure 22.3 gives trial courts authority to allow jurors to have testimony repeated during deliberations. But it does not require a judge to permit the jury to see requested evidence or hear testimony, and in fact gives authority to deny such requests or provide information to balance any information the judge determines is appropriate for the jury to see. See Ariz. R. Crim. P. 22.3 (stating that judge “may” recall the jury to have testimony read and may order reading of other testimony to balance requested testimony). In denying permission for the jury to again view the tapes during deliberations, the trial court noted its concern that selecting certain evidence for review would improperly highlight that evidence, a decision well within the trial court’s discretion. ¶86 In State v. Chappell, the jury requested a transcript of the defendant’s allocution. 225 Ariz. 229, 241–42 ¶¶ 51–52 (2010). The trial court denied the request, emphasizing that the jury might be subject to undue influence by the written statement. Id. at 242 ¶ 54. This reasoning has been echoed in other decisions. See, e.g., State v. Jovenal, 117 Ariz. 441, 27 STATE V. HULSEY Opinion of the Court 443 (App. 1977) (citing cases showing fear of undue emphasis when partial transcripts are given to jury). The tapes here are similar to the transcripts in Chappell, and the trial court, having seen them, determined that they may be given undue emphasis in deliberations, a conclusion we find no reason to disturb. ¶87 Finally, Hulsey argues that because there were six tapes, it is not likely that any one tape would be given undue influence. But the inclusion of multiple tapes admitted in the aggregate for the same purpose would only exacerbate the trial court’s concern of certain testimony being highlighted. The trial court’s denial was not an abuse of discretion. C. Prosecutorial misconduct ¶88 Hulsey raises several prosecutorial misconduct claims. We review a denial of a motion for mistrial based on cumulative prosecutorial misconduct for an abuse of discretion. See State v. Lehr, 201 Ariz. 509, 522 ¶ 56 (2002). We begin by assessing each claim of misconduct; we review objected-to claims for harmless error and unobjected-to claims for fundamental error. State v. Payne, 233 Ariz. 484, 511 ¶ 108 (2013); State v. Roque, 213 Ariz. 193, 228 ¶ 154 (2006), overruled on other grounds by EscalanteOrozco, 241 Ariz. at 267 ¶¶ 11–15. After determining which claims constitute error, this Court reviews the cumulative misconduct to determine whether the total effect rendered defendant’s trial unfair. Roque, 213 Ariz. at 228 ¶¶ 154–55. ¶89 To succeed in his claim, Hulsey must show that the prosecutor’s actions amounted to misconduct and that there is a “reasonable likelihood . . . that the misconduct could have affected the jury’s verdict, thereby denying defendant a fair trial.” Anderson, 210 Ariz. at 340–41 ¶ 45. Here, although prosecutor Juan Martinez engaged in several instances of misconduct or near misconduct, altogether it was not so prolonged or pronounced that it affected the fairness of trial. We address these claims as they were presented. 28 STATE V. HULSEY Opinion of the Court 1. Voir dire
¶90 Hulsey claims that the prosecutor committed misconduct while questioning potential jurors by using the word “debate” to describe proper juror interactions during deliberations. During voir dire, the court sustained Hulsey’s objection and instructed the prosecutor to abstain from using the specific word “debate,” instead replacing it with “discussion” in further proceedings. Thereafter, the prosecution used the word twice, once correcting himself. Both prospective jurors who heard the word were ultimately put on the jury. ¶91 We agree with the trial court that the use of the word “debate” did not constitute misconduct in this context.
¶92 Hulsey also claims that the prosecution’s use of the word “bullied” in front of Juror 123 to describe the defense counsel’s rehabilitation of him was improper. This claim fails for multiple reasons: the trial court sustained defense counsel’s objection to use of the word; Juror 123 was ultimately and properly struck for cause; and the exchange took place outside of the presence of any other potential jurors. There is no likelihood of harm. 2. Guilt phase a. Cross-examination of Jaco Swanepoel ¶93 Hulsey claims that the prosecutor “talked over [a] witness and refused to let him answer the questions,” and insinuated that the witness was unethical. He claims that the prosecutor was yelling and screaming at the witnesses and flailing his arms. At trial, the court overruled defense counsel’s objections and stated that the prosecutor simply had a “very animated style.” We cannot conclude from the record that this assessment was incorrect. 29 STATE V. HULSEY Opinion of the Court ¶94 Hulsey also claims that throughout cross-examination, the prosecutor asked a series of questions designed to mislead the jury into believing a witness was testifying unethically, constituting improper burden shifting. In ruling on the objection, the court found that there was no evidence of unethical conduct and so instructed the jurors. ¶95 This Court gives great latitude to conclusions drawn by judges who observe trial behavior first hand. State v. Hansen, 156 Ariz. 291, 297 (1988) (“[W]e note that the trial court is in a better position to judge whether the prosecutor is unduly sarcastic, his tone of voice, facial expressions, and their effect on the jury, if any.”). Hulsey has given this Court no reason to overturn the trial court’s conclusion that the prosecutor’s tone had no effect on the verdict. Additionally, although “[i]t is improper . . . to imply unethical conduct on the part of an expert witness in the absence of evidentiary support,” State v. Velazquez, 216 Ariz. 300, 311 ¶ 48 (2007) (internal quotation marks omitted), any improper implication of unethical conduct or burden shifting was remedied when the trial court instructed the jurors that it “specifically found that this witness has not violated any code of ethics as set forth in any document.” b. Closing argument
¶96 Hulsey claims that the prosecutor insinuated in his closing argument that defense witness Paul Greene, who testified about the Shot Spotter, was untruthful. The prosecutor discussed Mr. Greene’s candor and encouraged the jurors to infer that his different styles of answering corresponded with the varying truthfulness of his statements. The prosecutor stated that Mr. Greene “is somebody that you really can’t trust.” ¶97 Counsel have wide latitude to argue reasonable inferences from the evidence, but cannot make insinuations that have no evidentiary support. See State v. Cornell, 179 Ariz. 314, 331 (1994). Here, the prosecutor’s conduct was close to crossing the line, but the record did contain facts on which he could fairly base his argument. See State v. Hughes, 193 Ariz. 72, 85–86 ¶ 59 (1998). The prosecutor highlighted his observations that Mr. 30 STATE V. HULSEY Opinion of the Court Greene was sometimes less vocal during cross-examination than in direct examination. From this, the prosecutor told the jurors that in order to assess Greene’s credibility, they should consider the way he answered questions. In context, the comments were not improper.
defense theory ¶98 Hulsey maintains that throughout the closing argument, the prosecutor continued to imply that defense counsel was a liar and made other personal attacks. During closing argument, the prosecution invoked the story of Don Quixote and compared the defense’s theory to tilting at windmills. He repeatedly analogized the defense’s evidence in the case to the imaginary monsters in that story. He stated that the defense wanted the jury to “[go] to Neverland” and enter the “Land of Oz.” Hulsey unsuccessfully moved for mistrial based on the “unethical behavior.” ¶99 While commentary about the defense’s theory is common, “[a]n argument that impugns the integrity or honesty of opposing counsel is . . . improper.” Id. at 86 ¶ 59; see also State v. Lynch (Lynch II), 238 Ariz. 84, 96–97 ¶¶ 28–29 (2015) (illustrating improper commentary towards counsel as suggesting defense counsel fabricated evidence), rev’d on other grounds, Lynch III, 136 S. Ct. 1818 (2016); cf. State v. Amaya-Ruiz, 166 Ariz. 152, 171– 72 (1990) (no error where prosecutor referred to defense as “smoke screen”). The prosecutor’s comments equating defense counsel to Don Quixote were different from those discussing defense theories. The prosecution impugned defense counsel’s integrity by suggesting he was purposely leading the jury on a make-believe expedition. See Hughes, 193 Ariz. at 86 ¶ 59. These improper statements, however, were brief and on this record we cannot say that they affected the jury’s verdict, especially in light of the instruction to the jury that counsel’s arguments are not evidence. See Newell, 212 Ariz. at 403 ¶ 67. ¶100 Hulsey raises an additional unobjected-to-claim—that the prosecution personally attacked defense counsel regarding a rhetorical statement made by defense counsel about the attempted first degree murder instruction. The prosecutor pointed out the peculiarity of defense 31 STATE V. HULSEY Opinion of the Court counsel interjecting himself into his closing argument by stating that he did not know what the instruction meant. The prosecution questioned the relevance of such a statement. This exchange was not an improper attack on defense counsel constituting fundamental error.
¶101 Hulsey argues that the prosecution misstated the law by stating that “knowingly” was a lesser standard of proof than “intending.” This objection was sustained, and the trial judge stated, “Let’s not call it lesser. Let’s call it different.” Any misstatement was therefore cured. ¶102 Hulsey claims that the prosecutor misstated the evidence by arguing that the recording of Officer Goitia’s initial report stated that he ran into the middle of the street and began firing. There were three separate accounts at issue in this portion of the argument. Here, the prosecutor was “urg[ing] the jury to draw reasonable inferences from the evidence.” State v. Bible, 175 Ariz. 549, 602 (1993). The trial court correctly overruled the objection and stated that the “jury can decide who’s correct.” ¶103 Hulsey additionally argues that the prosecutor misstated evidence by arguing that the experts indicated that the .40-caliber bullet was not going to fragment. Hulsey is correct that the experts stated that both bullets could fragment, but testimony showed that the .40-caliber bullet was designed not to fragment, which differed specifically from the .357caliber bullet from Hulsey’s gun. Here, because the testimony showed that the chances of the .357-caliber bullet not fragmenting were “exceptions,” the prosecutor’s argument was not a misstatement of the evidence constituting misconduct. See id. (prosecutor can urge jury to draw reasonable inferences).
¶104 Hulsey argues that the prosecution presented “diametrically opposed theories of the same evidence.” Hulsey claims that the prosecutor first argued in the guilt phase that Officer Holly was shot at the back end of the car, and then in the aggravation phase he placed Officer Holly at the 32 STATE V. HULSEY Opinion of the Court front of the car so he could argue that Jones and Kostas were in the “zone of danger,” thus qualifying for an additional aggravator. See A.R.S. § 13-751(F)(3). ¶105 During the guilt phase, the prosecution argued that Jones testified that Officer Holly was standing near enough to the back-passenger side of the car for Jones to hand him the temporary registration; the prosecutor repeated that Officer Holly’s “body was found in the back of the [car] facing westbound.” In the aggravation phase, the prosecutor stated Officer Holly was “in the back of the [car],” and “[m]aybe [Officer Holly] took a step or two but he was standing in the back of the [car] and went down and fell face forward.” These are not diametrically opposed theories.
¶106 Hulsey argues that the prosecutor improperly vouched for Jones in his closing argument when he stated that she “told you how many [rounds were fired]. Four rounds. Do you think she sat down and read the police report? No, they don’t. She’s not privy to that. She didn’t make it up. She’s somebody who heard it.” Hulsey argues that this statement referred to matters outside the record and constituted improper vouching. ¶107 “Prosecutorial vouching occurs if, among other things, the prosecutor suggests that information not presented to the jury supports the evidence, testimony, or witness.” Payne, 233 Ariz. at 512 ¶ 109 (internal quotation marks omitted). The prosecutor stating that Jones was not privy to the police report was improper, but this comment gave at most de minimis support for her testimony. Hulsey cannot establish fundamental error because the trial court and counsel explained that the lawyers’ arguments were not evidence, see State v. Ramirez, 178 Ariz. 116, 127 (1994) (presuming jurors follow court’s instructions), and he has not identified how he was prejudiced by the improper vouching.
¶108 During his closing argument, the prosecutor stated that Officer Holly “was the first to answer the call. It was the call to his death.” Hulsey claims that this and the prosecutor’s recitation of the victim impact 33 STATE V. HULSEY Opinion of the Court statement including Officer Holly’s father’s statement during the penalty phase of visualizing his son’s “last agonizing moments” and his “[attempt] to breathe” improperly appealed to jurors’ passions. Both claims fail. ¶109 Statements are improper if they (1) “call to the attention of the jurors matters that they would not be justified in considering in determining their verdict, and (2) [there is a high] probability that the jurors, under the circumstances of the particular case, were influenced by the remarks.” State v. Jones, 197 Ariz. 290, 305 ¶ 37 (2000) (citing Hansen, 156 Ariz. at 296–97). ¶110 Both claims were unobjected-to, and therefore to warrant reversal must present fundamental error. Here, the “call to his death” comment did not improperly appeal to the passions of the jury. The statements were not outside of the matters to be considered by the jurors, nor was there a high probability the jurors were influenced by the remarks. No error occurred. ¶111 In Burns, 237 Ariz. at 30 ¶¶ 141–42, this Court cautioned against piling up victim impact evidence for fear that it may cross the line. There, however, the state presented more than a dozen victim impact statements, some from people who never met the victim. Id. This Court noted that brief remarks about visualizing a victim’s final moments were not unduly prejudicial. Id. ¶ 141. Hulsey objects to statements from Officer Holly’s mother and father that briefly mentioned the last moments of their son’s life. Here the statements were not unduly prejudicial and no fundamental error occurred.
¶112 Hulsey claims that the following excerpt from the prosecutor’s closing improperly commented on his refusal to consent to the search. And so the police officer says you want me to search you -- I want to search you. We agree he says no. Clearly, he’s in control of the situation. He wasn’t scared, wasn’t going to say 34 STATE V. HULSEY Opinion of the Court no, didn’t have to say no. So it wasn’t a situation where he panicked or anything like that, no. When he asked may I search you, very calmly he said no, uh-huh. I am not going to let you do that. So that’s a calm individual. It’s not somebody who is so high on drugs, doesn’t know what’s going on. He knows what’s going on. ¶113 We need not decide whether the phrase “didn’t have to say no” was improper because it was not argued as evidence of guilt. This discussion solely addressed Hulsey’s demeanor at the traffic stop. The prosecutor made no comment on his invocation of his Fourth Amendment rights as evidence of guilt. Cf. State v. Stevens, 228 Ariz. 411, 414–15 ¶¶ 8–9 (App. 2012) (prosecutor referring to defendant’s refusal of search as a result of concern about being arrested and because defendant had something to hide). The prosecutor argued only that the refusal implied that Hulsey was “calm” and “in control of the situation,” and not “scared” or “panicked.” Hulsey was thus not prejudiced by the statement.
¶114 Hulsey also argues that the prosecutor committed error when he referred to evidence not admitted at trial by stating that Hulsey produced his brother’s driver’s license at the initial traffic stop. Attorneys “are not permitted to introduce or comment upon evidence [that] has not previously been offered and placed before the jury,” but the false identification was discussed in testimony and already in evidence. State v. Gonzales, 105 Ariz. 434, 437 (1970). To the extent that the reference to the real Bradley Hulsey in the courtroom was error, its brevity and inconsequential nature does not constitute fundamental error.