Opinion ID: 1755457
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 30

Heading: analysis

Text: The defendant takes issue with several aspects of the State's opening and closing arguments, particularly the closing argument. The defendant claims that the State misused cellular site location data because [t]he State repeatedly in their [sic] closing argument said the phone records are unimpeachable third party independent evidence and they are telling you people's exact location and time. Brief for appellant at 47. The defendant claims the State committed misconduct in referring to a telephone call received on the defendant's telephone from an employee of the defendant's business, because the State implied that the employee was at the defendant's business at the time he made the call but did not prove that fact. The defendant also claims that the State misstated the record in impeaching Blake's testimony that the killer drove a Cadillac Escalade by noting that Blake misidentified the victim's Chevrolet Impala as a Chevrolet Caprice. But the defendant did not object to any of these arguments. In order to preserve, as a ground of appeal, an opponent's misconduct during closing argument, the aggrieved party must have objected to improper remarks no later than at the conclusion of the argument. State v. Jacob, 253 Neb. 950, 574 N.W.2d 117 (1998). Any objection to a prosecutor's arguments made after the jury has been instructed and has retired is untimely and will not be reviewed on appeal. State v. Bjorklund, 258 Neb. 432, 604 N.W.2d 169 (2000). Absent plain error, an issue not raised to the trial court will not be considered by the Nebraska Supreme Court on appeal. State v. Bao, 269 Neb. 127, 690 N.W.2d 618 (2005). Furthermore, when a party has knowledge during trial of irregularity or misconduct, the party must timely assert his or her right to a mistrial. State v. Robinson, 271 Neb. 698, 715 N.W.2d 531 (2006). One may not waive an error, gamble on a favorable result, and, upon obtaining an unfavorable result, assert the previously waived error. Id. A party who fails to make a timely motion for mistrial based on prosecutorial misconduct waives the right to assert on appeal that the court erred in not declaring a mistrial due to such prosecutorial misconduct. Id. We have carefully reviewed the record and find no plain error. The defendant also takes issue with the State's discussion of whether the defendant's GMC Yukon Denali was customized. The State implied that the Yukon Denali was misidentified by eyewitnesses because it had features not present on an ordinary Yukon Denali, but there was no evidence to that effect. The defendant objected to the argument concerning the customizing of the defendant's vehicle, but when those objections were sustained, the defendant did not make a motion for a mistrial. It is a well-established legal principle that it is improper for counsel to comment during closing argument on matters unsupported by the evidence. State v. Russell, 248 Neb. 723, 539 N.W.2d 8 (1995). But, as previously noted, it is equally well established that a party who fails to make a timely motion for mistrial based on prosecutorial misconduct waives the right to assert on appeal that the court erred in not declaring a mistrial due to such prosecutorial misconduct. Robinson, supra. No such motion was made here. In any event, before it is necessary to grant a mistrial for prosecutorial misconduct, the defendant must show that a substantial miscarriage of justice has actually occurred. State v. Beeder, 270 Neb. 799, 707 N.W.2d 790 (2006). While the State went beyond the facts in evidence when its argument implied that the defendant's GMC Yukon Denali had different features from the stock features of such a vehicle, we cannot conclude that a miscarriage of justice occurred as a result of the State's objectionable references to the customization of the defendant's vehicle. The defendant also contends that the State's argument misstated the law with respect to the jury instructions on lesser-included offenses. The State noted that although a step instruction had been given, instructing the jury on lesser-included offenses of first degree murder, the State's position was that the defendant was guilty of first degree murder. As we understand the defendant's claim, he is characterizing the State's argument as implying that the lesser-included offense instructions were merely technicalities, not supported by the evidence. But again, the defendant did not object to the State's argument. A court must instruct on a lesser-included offense if (1) the elements of the lesser offense are such that one cannot commit the greater offense without simultaneously committing the lesser offense and (2) the evidence produces a rational basis for acquitting the defendant of the greater offense and convicting the defendant of the lesser offense. State v. Weaver, 267 Neb. 826, 677 N.W.2d 502 (2004). Step instructions which require consideration of the most serious crime charged before consideration of lesser-included offenses are not erroneous. State v. Myers, 258 Neb. 300, 603 N.W.2d 378 (1999). We have reviewed the State's closing statement, and we disagree with the defendant's contention that the State misstated the law. The State's argument, in fact, correctly explained the operation of the step instruction. The conduct of a prosecutor which does not mislead and unduly influence the jury and thereby prejudice the rights of the defendant does not constitute misconduct. State v. Faust, 269 Neb. 749, 696 N.W.2d 420 (2005). The State did not act improperly, or mislead the jury, by stating that although the jury had been instructed on lesser-included offenses, the State's consistent position was that the defendant committed first degree murder. In the absence of an objection or motion for mistrial, we find no plain error in this argument. For the foregoing reasons, we reject the defendant's claim of prosecutorial misconduct.