Court Opinion

ID: 9469227
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 02:35:38.256722+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:41:17.656130
License: Public Domain

JOSEPH H. YOUNG, District Judge,
dissenting:
Although I agree with the majority that the prosecutor’s remarks were improper, I respectfully dissent because I cannot agree on the effect of those improper remarks.
When improper remarks are made in closing argument, the major question is whether the argument complained of was so prejudicial as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial. United States v. Young, 618 F.2d 1281 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 844, 101 S.Ct. 126, 66 L.Ed.2d 52 (1980); United States v. Bell, 535 F.2d 886 (5th Cir. 1976). The remarks must be viewed in the context of the whole trial. United States v. Bohr, 581 F.2d 1294 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 958, 99 S.Ct. 361,58 L.Ed.2d 351 (1978). The trial judge who heard the argument and the evidence adduced at trial is the best judge of whether the argument has resulted in lasting prejudice to the defendant. Unit*1211ed States v. Leftwich, 461 F.2d 586 (3d Cir.), cert. denied, 409 U.S. 915, 93 S.Ct. 247, 34 L.Ed.2d 178 (1972); Rogers v. United States, 411 F.2d 228 (10th Cir. 1969).
In the instant case, the trial judge not only gave a curative instruction and advised the jury that the conduct of the accused to which the prosecutor referred in final argument was not evidence which they could consider,* he also gave an explanation as to why the defendant might have appeared to be familiar with the pictures, that is, that they had been provided during discovery. In addition, the trial judge was asked to consider the prejudicial effect of the argument in a post-trial motion. All this distinguishes the case at bar from United States v. Wright, 489 F.2d 1181 (D.C.Cir.1978), cited by the majority.
The majority seems to be bothered by the timing of the district court’s attempt to cure, and the method chosen. The trial judge should have broad discretion to control the closing argument, and his decision as to how to cure should not be overturned unless there is a clear abuse of discretion. Weddell v. Meierhenry, 636 F.2d 211, 214 (8th Cir. 1980), cert. denied, 451 U.S. 941, 101 S.Ct. 2024, 68 L.Ed.2d 329 (1981); United States v. Grabiec, 563 F.2d 313 (7th Cir. 1977). See also Harris v. United States, 402 F.2d 656 (D.C.Cir.1968) (Burger, J.). I find no abuse of discretion, nor do I think that, in light of all the evidence adduced at trial, there was prejudice to the defendant that was not cured by the instruction given before the jury retired to deliberate.
For these reasons I would affirm the judgment entered on the defendant’s conviction.

 The courtroom conduct of the accused to which the prosecutor referred in his argument was reflected in the record even though the defendant was not on the witness stand during his statements.