Court Opinion

ID: 9742347
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 21:11:16.580925+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:31.458524
License: Public Domain

Mr. JUSTICE STOUDER, dissenting: I respectfully disagree with the conclusion reached by my colleagues on the issue of whether certain comments made by the prosecutor during closing arguments deprived the defendant of a fair trial. It is my opinion that the comments made relating to the veracity of the defendant and his witnesses were improper and highly prejudicial and, therefore, constituted reversible error. Comments by prosecutors that a defendant or defense witness is either lying or committing perjury have been consistently condemned as highly improper (People v. Baptist (1979), 76 Ill. 2d 19, 389 N.E.2d 1200; People v. Valdery (1978), 65 Ill. App. 3d 375, 381 N.E.2d 1217) unless such comments are founded on the evidence. (People v. Cole (1980), 80 Ill. App. 3d 1105, 400 N.E.2d 931.) If, however, the comments are found to be improper, théy will not constitute reversible error unless they result in substantial prejudice to the defendant. People v. Baptist (1979), 76 Ill. 2d 19, 389 N.E.2d 1200. In addition, a statement by a prosecutor that in order to believe the defendant and his witnesses, all of the State’s witnesses must be disbelieved, distorts the burden of proof and can constitute plain error. United States v. Vargas (7th Cir. 1978), 583 F.2d 380; People v. Cole (1980), 80 Ill. App. 3d 1105, 400 N.E.2d 931. In the case at hand, the prosecutor not only labeled the defendant and his witnesses liars and perjurers, but he stated, in effect, that the jury would have to disbelieve all of the State’s witnesses in order to believe the defendant. The issue of credibility was a major factor in the defendant’s case. Both defenses of intoxication and self defense were premised upon the credibility of the defendant and his witnesses. There was no evidence of perjury. The jury could have believed that the opinions of the State’s witnesses as to the defendant’s sobriety were sincerely given and yet concluded the defendant was truly intoxicated. Liberal comments and even exaggeration about the evidence are permissible during final arguments. However, the substitution of inflammatory rhetoric for fair comment is impermissible. An overzealous prosecutor can exceed the bounds of proper commentary on the evidence and so prejudice the defendant’s rights that no further objection or ruling can remove the taint. Under these circumstances the waiver rule can hardly be applicable, and the prejudicial remarks made during final arguments would constitute plain error. I would conclude in this case that the prosecutor’s comments on the veracity of the defendant and his witnesses were improper, prejudicial and substantially impaired the defendant’s right to a fair trial. The judgment should, therefore, be reversed, and the case should be remanded for a new trial.