Court Opinion

ID: 9539890
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:11:24.976783+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:59:26.884308
License: Public Domain

V. J. Brennan, P.J.
(concurring in result only). I concur in result only.
I, too, would reverse on the basis of the prosecutor’s continuous references to race. However, I do not agree that many of the other alleged errors set forth in the majority opinion warrant reversal.
I find from my reading of the record that many of the prosecutor’s statements quoted in the majority opinion as objectionable were made outside the presence of the jury, where they could be aired without prejudice to defendant. In cases like this one it is not unreasonable that the prosecutor’s feelings toward the defendant would be less than hospitable. I also would find admissible: testimony tending to show defendant’s method and means of inducing young girls to become prostitutes and their turning over to him their earnings from these endeavors, defendant’s use of marijuana and alcohol as an inducement and to break down the girls’ resistance to practicing prostitution, defendant’s threats of physical abuse, the girls’ testimony that they work as prostitutes for defendant, *129and the prosecutor’s cross-examination of defendant’s witnesses as to whether they were prostitutes.
I find also that under the circumstances the judge’s comments to the jurors were permissible and proper. When it was brought to the judge’s attention that one of the jurors had expressed concern over the fact that defendant was looking at the list of juror’s names, it was proper for the judge to take steps to dispel their concerns. The comments he then made were proper. I do not agree that they had the effect of characterizing defendant as a "member of a dangerous class”. And, even if they did, I would point out that by the time this incident occurred the admissible testimony had already painted a clear picture that defendant was, in fact, a member of a dangerous class, namely pimps.
The majority also feels that the court’s instructions on pandering broadened the scope of the information. The argument that this constitutes reversible error because it enlarges the charge makes me chuckle when I note that the word "encouraging” was used in the company of such strong language as inducing, inveigling, persuading and enticing. After being presented with all the sordid testimony mustered against this most unsavory defendant, I am convinced that the word "encouraging” was not on the jury’s mind. This was not a case where the evidence was so borderline that the jury could have been convinced to believe defendant was not guilty of the charges of inducing, enticing, inveigling, and persuading, but might be guilty of encouraging. Under the facts presented here and the overwhelming evidence of defendant’s guilt I would conclude that the inclusion of the word "encouraging” in the charge was at best harmless.