Court Opinion

ID: 9768934
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 13:57:29.476996+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:30:50.126192
License: Public Domain

ODOM, Judge
(concurring).
I concur in the results reached by the majority, but find their discussion of appellant’s seventh ground of error unclear and confusing. The reasoning of the majority is that the argument complained of was invited, but I see no indication in the portions of argument quoted in the majority opinion that would invite the line of argument objected to by appellant. The only quoted argument of appellant remotely connected with that of which complaint is made is, “You know the last time it came up, he said he didn’t want a raise in salary, he wanted his salary.” Objection to this argument was sustained. But how can this statement on salary be said to invite the argument, “You don’t pay me enough money to come here and convict an innocent man”? Would the argument, “The prosecutor doesn’t like rainy weather,” invite the response, “This rainy weather doesn’t upset me enough to come here and convict an innocent man”? The other jury arguments by appellant’s counsel quoted by the majority are even less connected to the argument of the prosecutor.
The improper argument of the prosecutor, however, I do not believe constituted reversible error. Although it carried the implication that the prosecutor believed appellant was not innocent, that was not the primary thrust of the argument. Had he dwelt upon the matter, so as to make the implication more obvious, or had he made a more direct statement of his opinion (see Fowler v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 500 S.W.2d 643), we would be confronted with a different situation. Compare Pringle v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 511 S.W.2d 35. Since, however, the improper implication was so attenuated, I do not believe reversible error has been shown, and concur in the results.
DISSENTING OPINION ON APPELLANT’S MOTION TO REINSTATE APPEAL