Court Opinion

ID: 9682333
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 08:09:32.094961+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:17:38.789807
License: Public Domain

KAROHL, Judge,
concurring.
I concur in affirming the conviction in this case. Defendant-appellant relies on two issues which occur and recur with alarming frequency. They need not arise and could easily be avoided; for that reason I write.
The record supports a finding that Anthony McIntyre would not testify. The record statement of McIntyre’s counsel was definite and adequate to convince the court McIntyre would not testify. This satisfies the “reliable and certain means” suggested in State of Missouri v. Sterling Horne, 691 S.W.2d 402 (Mo.App.E.D., 1985). It would also be possible to swear the witness outside the hearing of the jury in order to determine the intent of the witness. In the Horne case, counsel for Crocket, the witness defendant sought to call, merely informed the court the client did not wish to testify. Here, counsel informed the court unequivocably that McIntyre would assert the Fifth Amendment. Further, no record was made by defendant about the evidence defendant hoped to present through McIntyre in order to afford the court an opportunity to balance defendant’s need of such witness and the relevance and probative value of the testimony against the useless exercise of calling the witness or the potential prejudice that may occur. A record is required on the need for the testimony and a basis for finding the witness will not testify. Based on that record the trial court decides the issue. Without a record no basis exists for the trial court to rule or for review on appeal.
The second issue is more troublesome. I concur that no plain error resulted even though the words “no evidence came before you to deny” were used. The remark in issue was, “[tjhere has been no witness, no evidence come before you to deny, to refute, to contradict that statement.” To protect the integrity of this right guaranteed by constitutions, statute and rule it is frequently necessary to reverse, on this issue, as a matter of preserved error. No one except the defendant could admit or deny Ms. McIntosh’s version of defendant’s statement, and the use of the words evidence and deny in the same sentence could equate with “defendant,” “accused,” and “testify.”
It appears altogether unnecessary that such arguments occur and recur with the effect of provoking appeals. Rather than argue what the evidence fails to show, a more appropriate rebuttal would refer to the evidence the jury did hear. Ms. Ed-mundson testified that [before leaving the park] she asked defendant where the victim was. Defendant told her: “He’s now sleeping.” The next day defendant said: “Yes, we killed him.” This testimony wholly supports the prosecutor’s argument with the exception of the single offending sentence which was mixed in the argument about defendant’s admission. Defendant made no argument that a witness or evidence denied, refuted or contradicted defendant’s admissions. The offending statement appears to be a rebuttal of an argument not made. It serves only to present the defendant with the gift of a substantial ground of appeal. Where the evidence of guilt is so persuasive this type of argument *921is reckless and serves no justifiable purpose. Such is the case here. Only because the evidence is overwhelming, no plain error occurred. Where the evidence is weak such argument may be either reckless or planned. If the former, plain error may occur; if the latter, the case must be retried. In either event, such argument should be avoided. Skilled, careful and planned prosecution could and should remove this type of argument and contention of error from trials of criminal cases. In addition to insuring fair trials, greater certainty that a conviction is sound on the evidence, and supported by a proper respect for the law would result.