Opinion ID: 2631813
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Witchcraft evidence.

Text: In State v. Lockhart, 24 Kan. App.2d 488, 947 P.2d 461 (1997), the court lists the following factors for consideration when determining whether prosecutorial misconduct was prejudicial: `When determining whether prosecutorial misconduct was prejudicial, factors that should be considered include: (1) Is the misconduct so gross and flagrant as to deny the accused a fair trial? (2) Do the remarks show ill will on the prosecutor's part? (3) Is the evidence against the defendant of such a direct and overwhelming nature that the misconduct would likely have little weight in the minds of the jurors? [Citations omitted.]' 24 Kan. App.2d at 492. As discussed previously, the admission of the witchcraft evidence constituted error; however, even though the prosecutor should have avoided the introduction of irrelevant evidence of witchcraft, the prosecutor's remark following the objection does not demonstrate ill will or gross misconduct. Looking closely at the record, the prosecutor was not asking Leitner a question following the trial court's admonition but rather was responding to the court. Moreover, Leitner's response following the prosecutor's remark was not required of her. This particular remark by the prosecutor, even if erroneous, had little or no likelihood of changing the result of the trial due to the overwhelming evidence against Leitner. When viewed in the light of the trial record as a whole, the complained-of conduct does not mandate a reversal.