Opinion ID: 1189897
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: In his closing argument, the prosecutor made this statement to the jurors:

Text: Now I will make a suggestion to you, that if you take your pick as far as I am concerned you will take first degree kidnapping with the infliction of serious bodily injury, and return the verdict of death. We talk about rehabilitation, how can you rehabilitate a mad dog? Defense counsel moved for a mistrial which was denied without further comment by the trial judge. Appellant now contends such reference to a mad dog constituted prejudicial error and warrants reversal. Improper argument is presumed to be injurious. If the case, however, is free from doubt, the appellate court will not reverse. State v. Hauptmann, 115 N.J.L. 412, 180 A. 809, 815 (1935); People v. Hines, 30 Ill.2d 152, 195 N.E.2d 712 (1964). If it is closely contested, the error will be considered prejudicial. Berger v. United States, 295 U.S. 78, 88 (1935); State v. Teeter, 65 Nev. 584, 648, 200 P.2d 657 (1948); People v. Talle, 111 Cal. App.2d 650, 245 P.2d 633, 648 (1952). As stated in Garner v. State, 78 Nev. 366, 374, 374 P.2d 525 (1962), If the issue of guilt or innocence is close, if the State's case is not strong, prosecutor misconduct will probably be considered prejudicial. Citing State v. Kassabian, 69 Nev. 146, 148, 243 P.2d 264 (1952); State v. Skaug, 63 Nev. 59, 66, 161 P.2d 708, 163 P.2d 130 (1945). Our function, of course, is to insure that all defendants receive a fair trial. To that end, we view each assignment of error with particularity. It makes no difference whether a defendant is sentenced to one day in jail or to prison for life, the standards and requirements are the same. Where there is doubt of the accused's guilt, we would be inclined to grant a new trial. However, this record is clear. An innocent verdict could not be supported. People v. Talle, supra. The alleged forensic misconduct of the prosecutor, while generally to be frowned upon, and certainly to be viewed with askance, in this instance cannot be classified as reversible error. First, the strongest factor against reversal on this ground is that the objectionable remark was provoked by defense counsel. Post v. State, 41 Ariz. 23, 15 P.2d 246, 248 (1932). It was defense counsel who initiated the subject of rehabilitation as a criterion on sentencing. Second, since the record eliminates any doubt of the guilt of the accused, it seems clear that the offensive remark did not contribute to the jury verdict. The State made no effort to establish an act of intercourse by Pacheco with Judy. The only testimony presented by the defendant was directed solely to the kidnapping  and that testimony was offered by McKenna, a participant in the evening's sordid activities with the defendant, and by Marcia, who at the time the offense was committed was 14, and the mother of two children by Pacheco. The fact that the jury gave no credence to their testimony is understandable. Whatever the interpretation or definition of mad dog, its use in common parlance with reference to the conduct of the defendant against Judy cannot be held prejudicial. Still, such toying with the jurors' imagination is risky and the responsibility of the prosecutor is to avoid the use of language that might deprive a defendant of a fair trial.