Opinion ID: 2518032
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Comments About Michael Hernandez

Text: (5) Witness Michael Hernandez was in custody and testified that he was afraid of defendant. Hernandez stated that before taking the stand he asked if he could change clothes so that defendant would not know where he was incarcerated. In closing argument, the prosecutor stated: [Hernandez] was wearing a tee shirt when he came to court that had the name of the institution that he is in and he asked for another shirt. We didn't have one and he put the shirt on inside out hoping that he would hide the name of where he was. No evidence had been introduced regarding these particular facts. Defendant complains that the prosecutor referred to facts outside the record. While counsel is accorded `great latitude at argument to urge whatever conclusions counsel believes can properly be drawn from the evidence [citation],' counsel may not assume or state facts not in evidence [citation] or mischaracterize the evidence [citation]. ( People v. Valdez (2004) 32 Cal.4th 73, 133-134 [8 Cal.Rptr.3d 271, 82 P.3d 296].) Defendant forfeited his claim by failing to timely object and request an admonition. ( People v. Monterroso (2004) 34 Cal.4th 743, 785-786 [22 Cal.Rptr.3d 1, 101 P.3d 956].) Further, any misconduct was harmless. The jury was aware that Hernandez was in custody and feared defendant. Seeing that Hernandez testified with his T-shirt inside out, the jury could reasonably infer that Hernandez sought to hide his location from defendant.