Opinion ID: 1190445
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: First remark by Mrs. Brice

Text: (18) Dr. Thomas Rogers, a pathologist who was the first witness at trial, testified that morphine had been found in Brice's urine during the autopsy. A woman, apparently Brice's mother, interrupted the questioning as follows: Q: Do you have any idea what kind of substance it may have been that Mr. Brice had taken? A: Most likely, this would have been heroin unless he had been on prescription for  Woman in Audience: My son has never used a needle. He's never used a needle. The Court: Ma'am. Remain outside. Woman in Audience: Well, you know, he never used a needle. The Court: We'll take a moment recess please. Ask the witness [ sic ] to step outside till she composes herself. Spectator will have to remain outside until after this testimony is completed I believe. She may come back in afterwards. This comment was brief and on the first day of a guilt phase trial that spanned more than 24 calendar days. The comment had nothing to do with defendant's guilt or innocence. The court's order for the spectator to leave the courtroom made clear to the jury her remark was inappropriate. Moreover, at the end of the first day of trial, the court adequately admonished the jury that, We did have a brief statement of somebody in the audience who said something on one occasion, and maybe on a second, and I certainly admonish them and will continue to admonish all persons in the audience not to say anything. And if you did hear any words or noticed anything, any reaction by spectators, I tell you must not in any way let these things affect you. Completely disregard them. Now someone in the audience obviously is not under oath and their reactions have no value to you whatsoever as the finders of fact. As I say, hopefully, there will be no further things like that occurring, but please just disregard them. In light of the nature and circumstances of the comment and the court's forceful admonition to disregard it, there is not even a plausible basis on which we could find prejudice to defendant.