Opinion ID: 1401180
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Defense Attorney's Closing Argument

Text: Muhammad also argues that opposing counsel misstated the law during closing arguments and that the comments so severely damaged Muhammad's ability to receive a fair trial that it constituted plain error for the district court to have allowed the statements. Specifically, Muhammad contends that the attorney asserted that Muhammad had not proven an Eighth Amendment violation in this case because Muhammad's conduct essentially asked for excessive force. The appellees assert that defense counsel merely made the point that Muhammad's continued resistance caused the force escalation, not that Muhammad asked for excessive force. We conclude that allowing the attorney's comments did not amount to plain error on the part of the district court. Even assuming counsel's comments were objectionable, Muhammad has not shown plain error. To secure a reversal under the plain error standard, Muhammad must show that defense counsel's comments caused an error constituting a manifest miscarriage of justice. Southern Pine Helicopters, Inc. v. Phoenix Aviation Managers, Inc., 320 F.3d 838, 840 (8th Cir.2003). If the plaintiff's attorney is given an opportunity to rebut an erroneous argument, this may explain away any prejudicial effect. See Rogers v. Rulo, 712 F.2d 363, 367 n. 3 (8th Cir.1983) (recognizing that a lawyer's comments during closing argument may explain[ ] away the alleged prejudicial effect of the opposing parties' closing argument comments). Here, Muhammad's attorney had an opportunity to address the comments by the defense attorney and to explain that it is no defense to an Eighth Amendment claim that a defendant was acting unruly. Therefore, even if we agreed that the comments were improper, as characterized by Muhammad, there was no plain error here because Muhammad's attorney had an adequate opportunity to address the jury about any potential prejudicial effect.