Opinion ID: 1190434
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: improper arguments of counsel

Text: Defendant claims that the trial court erred in denying its motion for a new trial because of prejudicial arguments by Heslop's counsel during closing argument. Specifically, the Bank points to counsel's arguments that Bank officers violated the law and public policy by their resolution of the accrual problem and the fact that counsel misrepresented the testimony of Draughon, the Commissioner's examiner at the Bank. Counsel for Heslop stated in his closing argument: And so Mr. Draughon's testimony, as I recall it, was what did you know about the accrual problem. And Browning responded with surprise. Mr. Kunz, when asked that question, provided a definite response that he did not know. Draughon actually testified that he asked Browning and Kunz if they knew the extent of the accrual problem, not whether they claimed to know of it at all. However, the Bank did not object to this line of argument or to these statements at trial. Absent an objection by defendant, we will presume waiver of all arguments regarding the appropriateness of counsel's statements unless the error falls into the category of plain error. To meet the criteria for application of the plain error doctrine, an error must be obvious and harmful. [20] The misstatement of Draughon's testimony in this case was not plain or obvious. In the course of a two-week trial, it is likely that counsel and the court will not flawlessly recall every bit of evidence received. The distinction between Browning's and Kunz's knowledge of the accrual deficiency and what they told Draughon was testified to by several witnesses, including Draughon, Beutler, and Heslop. The mischaracterization of Draughon's testimony did not plainly misrepresent the facts of the case and would not add significantly to the jury's perception of the events. Further, it appears that the objected-to statements were harmless and would have had little effect on the trial's outcome. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying a new trial based on these statements.