State v. Newman , 330 Mont. 160 ( 2005 )

No. 04-507
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
2005 MT 348STATE OF MONTANA,
Plaintiff and Respondent,
v.
SANDRA JORDAN NEWMAN,
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL FROM: District Court of the Twenty-First Judicial District,
In and for the County of Ravalli, Cause No. DC 2003-93
The Honorable Jeffrey H. Langton, Judge presiding.
COUNSEL OF RECORD:
For Appellant:
Kristina Neal, Appellate Defender Office, Helena, Montana
For Respondent:
Hon. Mike McGrath, Montana Attorney General, Pamela P. Collins,
Assistant Attorney General, Helena, Montana; George H. Corn, Ravalli
County Attorney, William Fulbright, Deputy County Attorney, Hamilton,
Montana
Submitted on Briefs: July 13, 2005
Decided: December 28, 2005
Filed:
__________________________________________
Clerk
¶1 Following a jury trial in the District Court for the Twenty-First Judicial District,
Ravalli County, Sandra Jordan Newman (Newman) was convicted of four drug-related
offenses. Newman appeals. We reverse the conviction and remand for a new trial.
¶2 Four members of this Court agree that Newman’s conviction should be reversed and
that this cause should be remanded for a new trial. There is not agreement amongst these
members as to the basis for reversal, however. Therefore, Justice James C. Nelson (joined
by Justice Patricia O. Cotter) and Justice W. William Leaphart (joined by Justice Brian M.
Morris) each specially and separately concur that this cause be reversed and remanded for
a new trial. The dispositive issues, facts and arguments will be addressed separately in each
special concurrence.
¶3 We reverse and remand for a new trial.
2
Justice James C. Nelson specially concurs.
¶4 I concur in our decision to reverse and remand. The issues on appeal are:
¶5 1. Does Newman’s appellate brief adhere to the Montana Rules of Appellate
Procedure?
¶6 2. Should this Court review Newman’s claims pursuant to the doctrine of plain error
review?
¶7 3. Did the prosecutor’s closing argument deprive Newman of a fair trial?
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
¶8 In June of 2003, Newman resided in her house in Stevensville, along with her two
children, Amber and Mike, and her brother, Randy Jordan (Jordan). Also living at the house
was a girl named Miranda, who was one of Amber’s friends. Arthur Adler, who went by the
nickname “Butch,” had previously lived at the house. He was Newman’s boyfriend, and he
passed away in May of 2003.
¶9 Jordan became a suspect in an investigation regarding a burglary at Ace Hardware in
Stevensville. Pursuant to this investigation, law enforcement officers executed a search
warrant on Newman’s house on June 12, 2003. Detective Scott Burlingham, of the Ravalli
County Sheriff’s Office, was among the officers who searched the house. During his search,
he found a bag of marijuana. He then stopped the search and applied for another search
warrant based on this discovery. After securing the additional warrant, Detective
Burlingham continued the search, finding drug paraphernalia and more marijuana.
3
¶10 As a result of the search, Newman was charged with criminal distribution of
dangerous drugs, criminal possession of dangerous drugs, criminal possession of dangerous
drugs with intent to distribute, and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia.
¶11 After the search of Newman’s house, law enforcement officers apprehended Jordan
and found marijuana in the car he was riding in. Jordan initially admitted that all the drugs
at Newman’s house belonged to him. However, he subsequently reached an agreement with
the State whereby he agreed to testify against Newman in exchange for the State’s promise
to recommend a thirty-year suspended sentence in his criminal prosecution. Pursuant to this
agreement, Jordan testified that the marijuana at Newman’s house belonged to her, and that
she sold marijuana frequently. Harold and Mary Jane Rice, Newman’s neighbors, testified
that people would come and go from Newman’s house frequently, but admitted that they did
not observe any drug transactions. Newman testified that heavy traffic at her home consisted
of her friends who were visiting out of concern for her well-being subsequent to Arthur
Adler’s death.
¶12 During the State’s closing argument, the prosecutor repeatedly criticized Newman for
her failure to call witnesses to corroborate her testimony. Newman’s counsel did not raise
an objection to these comments. Newman was found guilty on all four charges and was
subsequently sentenced. Newman now appeals, arguing that the prosecutor’s closing
argument amounted to misconduct which denied her a fair trial. Newman also argues that
her trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance.
DISCUSSION
4
¶13 1. Does Newman’s appellate brief adhere to the Montana Rules of Appellate
Procedure?
¶14 The State argues that Newman has failed to adhere to Rule 23(a)(4), M.R.App.P., in
asserting her claim of prosecutorial misconduct. Specifically, the State points to the
argument section of Newman’s brief, and contends that Newman has failed to cite the trial
transcript for the contested portions of the prosecutor’s closing argument. As a result, the
State asserts, this Court is “required to scour the transcript to find the alleged quotes.” Thus,
the State contends that we should refuse to address Newman’s arguments regarding
prosecutorial misconduct for failure to cite to the transcript.
¶15 Rule 23(a)(3), M.R.App.P., requires that an appellant’s brief contain a statement of
the facts which includes citations to the record. Rule 23(a)(4), M.R.App.P., requires that the
argument section of an appellant’s brief contain citations to the pages of the record relied on.
The statement of facts in Newman’s brief contains a verbatim recitation of the contested
portions of the prosecutor’s closing argument, accompanied by accurate citations to the
corresponding pages in the trial transcript. The argument section of Newman’s brief refers
to these same transcript excerpts, but does not cite to the transcript in each instance. While
the argument section of Newman’s brief could have been slightly more clear with additional
transcript citations, we certainly are not required to “scour the transcript to find the alleged
quotes,” as the State asserts. As such, I conclude that Newman has satisfied the requirement
of Rule 23(a)(4), M.R.App.P.
5
¶16 2. Should this Court review Newman’s claims pursuant to the doctrine of plain
error review?
¶17 Newman argues that the prosecutor’s closing argument amounted to misconduct
which denied her a fair trial and due process by violating her right to be presumed innocent
and undermining the State’s burden to prove every element of the charged offenses beyond
a reasonable doubt. Acknowledging her trial counsel’s failure to object to the prosecutor’s
closing argument, Newman requests that we employ the doctrine of plain error to review her
contentions on appeal. The State argues that plain error review is inappropriate because
Newman’s claims are not supported by the record. As discussed hereinafter, I conclude that
Newman’s claims are, in fact, supported by the record.
¶18 Typically, the failure to timely object to an alleged impropriety in the district court
precludes this Court from reviewing the issue on appeal. Section 46-20-104(2), MCA.
However, the common law doctrine of plain error review provides that this Court may, in
certain circumstances, review a claim of alleged error even where no contemporaneous
objection was made in the district court. State v. Finley (1996), 276 Mont. 126, 137, 915
P.2d 208, 215 (overruled in part on other grounds by State v. Gallagher, 2001 MT 39, ¶ 21,
304 Mont. 215, ¶ 21, 19 P.3d 817, ¶ 21). As we have held:
[T]his Court may discretionarily review claimed errors that implicate a
criminal defendant’s fundamental constitutional rights, even if no
contemporaneous objection is made and notwithstanding the inapplicability
of the § 46-20-701(2), MCA, criteria, where failing to review the claimed
error at issue may result in a manifest miscarriage of justice, may leave
unsettled the question of the fundamental fairness of the trial or proceedings,
or may compromise the integrity of the judicial process.
6
Finley, 276 Mont. at 137, 915 P.2d at 215. Plain error review is rooted in “our inherent
power and paramount obligation to interpret Montana’s Constitution and to protect the
various rights set forth in that document.” Finley, 276 Mont. at 137, 915 P.2d at 215.
However, we do not lightly excuse the failure to raise a contemporaneous objection. Rather,
we utilize plain error review sparingly, on a case-by-case basis. Finley, 276 Mont. at 138,
915 P.2d at 215.
¶19 “The right to a fair trial is a fundamental liberty secured by the Fourteenth
Amendment” to the United States Constitution. Estelle v. Williams (1976), 425 U.S. 501,
503, 96 S.Ct. 1691, 1692, 48 L.Ed.2d 126. “The presumption of innocence, although not
articulated in the Constitution, is a basic component of a fair trial under our system of
criminal justice.” Estelle, 425 U.S. at 503, 96 S.Ct. at 1692. “[T]he Due Process Clause
protects the accused against conviction except upon proof beyond a reasonable doubt of
every fact necessary to constitute the crime with which he is charged.” In re Winship (1970),
397 U.S. 358, 364, 90 S.Ct. 1068, 1073, 25 L.Ed.2d 368. Moreover, the standard of proof
beyond a reasonable doubt “plays a vital role in the American scheme of criminal procedure”
in that it “provides concrete substance for the presumption of innocence.” In re Winship,
397 U.S. at 363, 90 S.Ct. at 1072.
¶20 In recognition of the foregoing principles, I conclude that the errors alleged by
Newman implicate her fundamental constitutional right to due process under the Fourteenth
Amendment to the United States Constitution, and Article II, Section 17, of the Montana
Constitution. Further, I conclude that these alleged errors, if left unaddressed by this Court,
7
would bring into question the fundamental fairness of Newman’s trial. Accordingly, I
conclude that plain error review is appropriate in this case.
¶21 3. Did the prosecutor’s closing argument deprive Newman of a fair trial?
¶22 As noted above, Newman argues that the prosecutor’s closing argument amounted to
misconduct which denied her a fair trial and due process by violating her right to be
presumed innocent and undermining the State’s burden to prove every element of the
charged offenses beyond a reasonable doubt. Newman also argues that she was denied a fair
trial when the prosecutor commented on matters not in evidence. In response, the State
contends that the prosecutor did not specifically say Newman was responsible for
establishing her innocence, and that the jury instructions properly explained the presumption
of innocence. The State also argues that the prosecutor’s comments were appropriate
because he merely commented on the evidence as a whole, and suggested inferences which
could be drawn therefrom. Finally, the State argues that Newman has failed to demonstrate
prejudice resulting from the prosecutor’s comments.
¶23 In order to afford a defendant the due process guaranteed under both the United States
Constitution and the Montana Constitution, the State must prove every element of a charged
offense beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. McCaslin, 2004 MT 212, ¶ 24, 322 Mont. 350,
¶ 24, 96 P.3d 722, ¶ 24. This burden of proof is closely related to the presumption of
innocence, as demonstrated by § 46-16-204, MCA, which provides that “[a] defendant in a
criminal action is presumed to be innocent until the contrary is proved, and in case of a
8
reasonable doubt whether the defendant’s guilt is satisfactorily shown, the defendant must
be found not guilty.”
¶24 Our prior holdings have acknowledged the close relation between these two legal
principles, and have consistently recognized the presumption of innocence as an essential
component of a criminal prosecution. In State v. Howell (1901), 26 Mont. 3, 5, 66 P. 291,
292, this Court stated that a criminal defendant
is always entitled to have the jury take into consideration the presumption of
innocence which the law throws about him. . . . This presumption comes to
the aid of the defendant at every stage of the case, and is finally rebutted and
overturned only by evidence establishing every element of the crime charged
to the satisfaction of the jury beyond a reasonable doubt.
Similarly, in State v. Martin (1903), 29 Mont. 273, 279, 74 P. 725, 727, this Court said that
the presumption of innocence
is the safeguard which the law casts around all persons accused of crime, and
the defendant cannot be reached by a verdict of guilty until this safeguard is
entirely removed. This removal can only be accomplished by evidence which
satisfies the minds of the jurors beyond a reasonable doubt. The presumption
of innocence is in effect the very thing against which the prosecution is
directed.
Again, in State v. Gilbert (1951), 125 Mont. 104, 109, 232 P.2d 338, 341, this Court stated
that the “presumption of innocence surrounds the defendant at every step in the trial and to
its benefits he is entitled in the determination of every fact by the jury.”
¶25 In State v. Williams (1979), 184 Mont. 111, 112, 601 P.2d 1194, 1195, this Court
addressed the issue of whether the trial court’s refusal to give the defendant’s requested
instruction on the presumption of innocence resulted in a violation of his right to a fair trial
as secured by the due process guarantee of the United States Constitution and the Montana
9
Constitution. Acknowledging the presumption of innocence as a foundational element of
criminal law, this Court held that “even though the jury was properly instructed as to the
burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, when he so requests, the defendant is still
entitled to an instruction as to the presumption of innocence which exists in his favor.”
Williams, 184 Mont. at 112, 601 P.2d at 1195. Further, this Court held to the “per se rule
that an instruction on the presumption of innocence is required in every case when a timely
request has been made.” Williams, 184 Mont. at 114, 601 P.2d at 1196.
¶26 Other opinions from this Court have also acknowledged the paramount importance
of the presumption of innocence. In State v. Nicholls (1982), 200 Mont. 144, 150, 649 P.2d
1346, 1349, this Court referred to the presumption of innocence as a “constitutional
protection.” Similarly, in City of Missoula v. Shea (1983), 202 Mont. 286, 294, 661 P.2d
410, 414, this Court referred to the presumption of innocence as a “constitutional due
process requirement.” It is apparent that our case law falls in line with Estelle, wherein the
United States Supreme Court stated that although the presumption of innocence is not
articulated in the United States Constitution, it is a “basic component of a fair trial” as
guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment. Estelle, 425 U.S. at 503, 96 S.Ct. at 1692. While
our cases have consistently upheld the presumption of innocence as a fundamental element
of Montana’s criminal law, this Court has not adopted the language of Estelle to explicitly
designate the presumption as a component of due process under Montana’s Constitution.
Hence, I conclude that the presumption of innocence, although not articulated in the
10
Montana Constitution, is an essential component of a fair trial as secured by the due process
guarantee of Article II, Section 17, of the Montana Constitution.
¶27 I now turn to the merits of Newman’s argument. During the State’s closing, the
prosecutor presented the following argument to the jury:
What I think is very interesting is, ask yourself who did we not hear from.
The Defendant had every opportunity to present whatever she wanted to
present, and who did we not hear from? We did not hear from Amber, her
daughter. We did not hear from Mike, her son. We did not hear from
Miranda, the other girl who lived there for the last three years. George Garcia,
we didn’t hear from George Garcia. Did we hear from Doug in Drummond?
Didn’t hear from Doug.
She said, of course, there was a lot of traffic after Butch died because
they were so concerned for me. . . .
. . . [W]here are those so concerned friends now to say, I wasn’t buying
drugs? We didn’t hear from any of that [sic]. I’d suggest it’s because they’ve
flown the coop. The Defendant is not there anymore. These aren’t concerned
friends. They’re people who she was supplying.
. . . The Defendant knew that any one of those people could have been
there . . . . Amber could have been here to say, yeah, I got in trouble for
drugs, but, man, my mom never does drugs. They’re not here because they
can’t say it. They’re not here because they can’t come in and testify that way
and tell the truth.
If we look at all that, I think we have laid out a case for the four crimes
that were charged. . . .
....
Where was Amber to say, Uncle Randy is lying to you when [sic] says
we sat around with my friends and light up whenever mom did. Because
that’s what happened. Probably with that red bong sitting in the front room
when the detectives showed up.
¶28 As the presumption of innocence “surrounds the defendant at every step in the trial,”
Gilbert, 125 Mont. at 109, 232 P.2d at 341, the prosecutor was not at liberty to undermine
the presumption during the State’s closing argument. However, the prosecutor used this
stage of the proceeding to repeatedly criticize Newman for failing to present witnesses to
11
corroborate her testimony. Additionally, the prosecutor asked the jury to consider this
failure in rendering a verdict, stating “[t]hey’re not here because they can’t come in and
testify that way and tell the truth. If we look at all that, I think we have laid out a case for
the four crimes that were charged.”
¶29 These arguments suggested to the jury that guilt could be determined, in part, based
on Newman’s failure to call witnesses. This suggestion directly contravened the
presumption of innocence. Further, by asserting that Newman’s defense lacked merit for her
failure to call witnesses, the prosecutor’s comments suggested that Newman had some
obligation to present evidence. This suggestion also directly contravened the presumption
of innocence, pursuant to which Newman had absolutely no obligation to prove any facts.
Moreover, the prosecutor’s argument improperly shifted the jury’s attention from the State’s
substantive evidence to the lack of affirmative evidence presented by Newman. This further
undermined the presumption of innocence and diminished the State’s burden of proof in the
mind of any juror who took this argument seriously.
¶30 The same portion of the prosecutor’s closing argument which undermined Newman’s
constitutional right to the presumption of innocence, was also improper because it contained
references to matters not in evidence. We have held that it is improper for a prosecutor to
comment on evidence not of record during closing argument. State v. Gladue, 1999 MT 1,
¶ 14, 293 Mont. 1, ¶ 14, 972 P.2d 827, ¶ 14. Here, the prosecutor asserted that some of
Newman’s acquaintances and family members with knowledge relevant to the case were not
at the trial because they had “flown the coop” or could not testify truthfully. However, there
12
was no evidence regarding the willingness of these individuals to appear at trial, and no
evidence regarding their willingness to testify truthfully.
¶31 In Berger v. United States (1935), 295 U.S. 78, 55 S.Ct. 629, 79 L.Ed. 1314, the
United States Supreme Court discussed the special responsibility of a prosecutor and the
harm potentially resulting from improper prosecutorial efforts. The Court stated:
[W]hile [a prosecutor] may strike hard blows, he is not at liberty to strike foul
ones. It is as much his duty to refrain from improper methods calculated to
produce a wrongful conviction as it is to use every legitimate means to bring
about a just one.
It is fair to say that the average jury, in a greater or less degree, has
confidence that these obligations, which so plainly rest upon the prosecuting
attorney, will be faithfully observed. Consequently, improper suggestions,
insinuations and, especially, assertions of personal knowledge are apt to carry
much weight against the accused when they should properly carry none.
Berger, 295 U.S. at 88, 55 S.Ct. at 633. Recognizing the special influence a prosecutor has
with a jury based on his or her status as a representative of the State, I am reluctant to
condone any prosecutorial argument that undermines the presumption of innocence.
However, this Court will not presume that a defendant suffers prejudice from improper
prosecutorial comments. Gladue, ¶ 27. Rather, a defendant must demonstrate, based on the
record, that the prosecutor’s improper comments prejudiced his or her right to a fair trial.
Gladue, ¶ 27. In determining whether prejudice resulted, the prosecutor’s improper
comments must be viewed in the context of the case in its entirety. Gladue, ¶ 27.
¶32 Here, I conclude that Newman was prejudiced because the prosecutor aggressively
suggested that the jury disregard the presumption of innocence, thereby creating a risk that
she would be convicted on that basis. The fact that the prosecutor did not explicitly state that
13
Newman was responsible for establishing her innocence does not alleviate the effect of this
improper argument. Nor do proper jury instructions cure such an error. I simply can not
excuse a prosecutorial argument that so forcefully contravenes a fundamental constitutional
protection.
¶33 Accordingly, I conclude that Newman was denied a fair trial because the prosecutor’s
closing argument effectively undermined her constitutional right to the presumption of
innocence as secured by the due process guarantee of the Montana Constitution.
¶34 That being said, I address Justice Warner’s contention that “the arguments in question
were not at all aimed at the presumption of innocence,” but were “an attack on Newman’s
credibility.” My opinion is based on the prosecutor’s words as they appear in the
transcript--the words which were spoken to the jury. The dissent, however, resorts to
speculation about the prosecutor’s intent, spinning the closing argument as a constitutionally
harmless swipe at Newman’s credibility. However, even if it were possible to accurately
discern a pure motive behind the prosecutor’s comments, I could not hold that it would cure
the serious constitutional problem here. Regardless of where the prosecutor “aimed” with
these comments, they struck at the very heart of a fundamental constitutional protection. No
pure motive can serve to remedy such a violation. Thus, I focus on the actual words used.
¶35 I take exception to the dissent’s baseless accusation that I have taken the prosecutor’s
comments “out of context.” Perhaps this charge results from my refusal to inject the
transcript with speculation regarding the prosecutor’s motives. Of course, I have focused
on the entirety of the contested comments in the context in which they were used. Further,
14
I have reviewed the closing arguments in full, and considered them in light of the trial as a
whole. Indeed, it is the dissent that supplies the context--by way of speculation--which
supports a different conclusion. Moreover, I can not envision a context that would justify
the suggestion, as was made by the prosecutor, that a jury may legitimately consider a
defendant’s failure to present witnesses as a strike against him or her. This notion is
absolutely contrary to the presumption of innocence.
¶36 My consideration of the context leads me to note that the dissent’s position is
undermined by the fact that Newman’s counsel recognized the prosecutor’s comments as an
attack on the presumption of innocence, and responded accordingly in closing. As the
dissent notes, Newman’s counsel restated the prosecutor’s comments and immediately
responded by explaining the presumption of innocence. Hence, I am simply recognizing the
same impropriety which defense counsel recognized during closing.
¶37 The dissent goes on to suggest that even if the prosecutor’s comments were an attack
on the presumption of innocence, defense counsel’s closing argument, together with the jury
instructions regarding the State’s burden of proof, would provide a sufficient remedial effect.
I can not agree. To take such a position would allow juries to be subjected to conflicting
messages regarding the presumption of innocence. This, in turn, would force defendants to
beg the jury to rely on the instructions rather than the prosecutor’s arguments. Of course,
defendants should not have to struggle for the right to be presumed innocent. That fight was
waged, and won, long ago. Estelle, 425 U.S. at 503, 96 S.Ct. at 1692. As this Court has
said, the presumption of innocence “is in effect the very thing against which the prosecution
15
is directed.” Martin, 29 Mont. at 279, 74 P. at 727. Thus, a prosecutor must overcome the
presumption by presenting persuasive evidence and arguments; not by suggesting that the
defendant has some obligation to justify the presumption.
¶38 Moreover, to the extent that the closing argument can be construed as an attack on
Newman’s credibility, its status as such can not render it constitutionally valid. In other
words, an attack on the presumption of innocence is not rendered acceptable just because it
is also an attack on the defendant’s credibility. It was the prosecutor’s job to tailor any
attacks on Newman’s credibility so as not to undermine any of her fundamental
constitutional rights.
¶39 The dissent also cites this Court's previous holding that it is proper for the prosecution
to comment on conflicts and contradictions in testimony, as well as to comment on the
evidence presented and suggest to the jury inferences which may be drawn therefrom.
Gladue, ¶ 15. However, the prosecutor’s suggestion that someone not present at trial might
say something in contradiction to Newman’s testimony simply does not qualify as a
comment on conflicts or contradictions in testimony. Nor was this suggestion a comment
on the evidence presented. Rather, it was a comment on evidence not presented at trial. As
such, I do not find this precedent applicable.
¶40 Finally, I share the dissent’s concern with limiting the use of plain error review.
However, this Court must be mindful to employ a similar level of concern in evaluating
alleged constitutional violations.
16
¶41 Justice Rice’s dissent maintains that the prosecutor’s argument was merely a comment
regarding other individuals’ failure to testify. Consequently, the dissent finds the
prosecutor’s comments acceptable under State v. Rodarte, 2002 MT 317, 313 Mont. 131, 60
P.3d 983, wherein we stated that “the prosecution is permitted to point out facts at issue
which could have been controverted by persons other than the defendant, but were not.”
Rodarte, ¶ 14. The short portion of the prosecutor’s argument which the dissent quotes
could arguably be considered acceptable under Rodarte if viewed in isolation. However, I
find Rodarte irrelevant when viewing the prosecutor’s arguments in their entirety.
¶42 The dissent’s analysis ignores pertinent parts of the trial transcript. First, it ignores
the fact that the prosecutor repeatedly criticized Newman personally for failing to call
witnesses to corroborate her testimony. The prosecutor argued Newman “knew that any one
of those people could have been there,” that she “had every opportunity to present whatever
she wanted,” and that she nonetheless failed to present numerous witnesses who could have
corroborated her testimony. Second, the dissent’s analysis ignores the fact that the
prosecutor then proceeded to ask the jury to consider Newman’s failure to call such
witnesses in rendering a verdict, stating “[i]f we look at all that, I think we have laid out a
case for the four crimes that were charged.” These arguments placed unwarranted blame
squarely on Newman for failing to present witnesses. Thus, I can not agree that this was
merely an attack on Newman’s testimony or an attack upon “the failure of persons to testify
who could have controverted the State’s evidence,” as the dissent asserts.
17
¶43 The holding of Rodarte can only be decisive in this case if we ignore significant
portions of the prosecutor’s closing argument, and I will not do so. Nor would I expand
Rodarte so as to condone the prosecutorial argument at issue here. The Rodarte rule, by its
plain terms, simply does not give prosecutors license to suggest to a jury that a defendant has
some duty to call witnesses to corroborate his or her testimony. Nor can Rodarte be
construed as a rule allowing prosecutors to ask a jury to consider such a failure as evidence
adverse to a defendant.
¶44 As part of its analysis, the dissent asserts that Newman “had not relied upon her
presumption of innocence--she had instead affirmatively offered an alternate explanation of
the State’s evidence.” I must respond to this statement because the dissent proffers it in a
way which suggests that a defendant’s decision to testify has some bearing on the protection
provided by the presumption of innocence. Particularly, it suggests that the presumption of
innocence somehow had less force here because Newman did not “rely” upon it. Further,
it suggests that Newman had to choose between maintaining the full benefit of the
presumption on one hand, and testifying in her own defense on the other hand.
¶45 Of course, we can only speculate as to whether Newman “relied” on the presumption
of innocence. But even if she and her counsel completely disregarded the presumption, its
constraints upon the prosecution were not thereby rendered any less stringent. While the
dissent attaches some significance to Newman’s decision to testify, it cites no authority for
the notion that this fact should have some bearing on the analysis regarding the presumption
of innocence. I reject this notion, as it is well established that the presumption is overcome
18
only by proof beyond a reasonable doubt of every element of a charged offense. Section
46-16-204, MCA; Howell, 26 Mont. at 5, 66 P. at 292; Martin, 29 Mont. at 279, 74 P. at 727.
Thus, there is nothing inconsistent in clinging steadfastly to the presumption of innocence
while also testifying in one’s own defense. To reason otherwise would be to create new
legal precedent repugnant to the presumption of innocence.
¶46 Finally, the dissent claims that defense counsel’s failure to object to the prosecutor’s
argument was a “choice to take the issue from the judge for his own purposes.” Any
knowledge the dissent may possess regarding defense counsel’s thought process at trial is
based on pure speculation and is not properly considered by this Court, as the record before
us discloses nothing in this regard. Moreover, even if it were possible to accurately divine
defense counsel’s motives, the dissent cites no authority for the proposition that such an
improper intent should impact the analysis regarding the presumption of innocence.
CONCLUSION
¶47 In conclusion, I note that Newman claims her trial counsel provided ineffective
assistance when he failed to object to the prosecutor’s closing argument and failed to offer
an accomplice jury instruction. Having already discussed the dispositive issue, I will not
address these arguments. Counsel can request a proper accomplice instruction in the new
trial or refrain from doing so after consulting with Newman.
¶48 Having concluded that the prosecutor’s closing argument deprived Newman of a fair
trial, I concur in our decision to reverse and remand for a new trial.
/S/ JAMES C. NELSON
19
Justice Patricia O. Cotter joins in the special concurrence of Justice James C. Nelson.
/S/ PATRICIA O. COTTER
Justice W. William Leaphart specially concurs.
¶49 I would reverse the conviction due to defense counsel’s ineffective assistance in
failing to request an accomplice jury instruction pursuant to § 26-1-303(4), MCA.
¶50 Section 26-1-303(4), MCA, requires that, when proper, the court must instruct the
jury that “the testimony of a person legally accountable for the acts of the accused ought to
be viewed with distrust.” The State argues that this provision does not apply to Newman’s
case because Jordan did not act as an accomplice. Section 45-2-302(3), MCA, states that
“[a] person is legally accountable for the conduct of another when either before or during the
commission of an offense with the purpose to promote or facilitate such commission, he
solicits, aids, abets, agrees, or attempts to aid such other person in the planning or
commission of the offense.” In addition, this Court defines “[a] true accomplice [as] one
who knowingly, voluntarily and with common intent with the principal offender unites in the
commission of a crime . . . . One may become an accomplice by being present and joining
in the criminal act, by aiding and abetting another in its commission.” State v. Nordahl
(1984), 208 Mont. 513, 517, 679 P.2d 241, 243 (citations omitted).
¶51 Jordan lived with Newman and testified to selling drugs on her behalf. Initially,
Jordan even claimed all the drugs belonged to him; a story he did not change until cutting a
deal with the State to testify against Newman in exchange for a suspended sentence. In
20
knowingly selling drugs on Newman’s behalf, Jordan satisfies the statutory definition of “a
person legally accountable” and this Court’s definition of an “accomplice.”
¶52 Newman argues that she received ineffective assistance because her counsel failed to
request an accomplice jury instruction. “A criminal defendant is denied effective assistance
of counsel if: (1) his counsel’s conduct falls short of the range reasonably demanded in light
of the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution; and (2) counsel’s failure is
prejudicial.” State v. Rose, 1998 MT 342, ¶ 12, 292 Mont. 350, ¶ 12, 972 P.2d 321, ¶ 12
(citations omitted). See also Strickland v. Washington (1984), 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct.
2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674. The Strickland test “requires the defendant to establish prejudice by
demonstrating that, but for counsel’s errors, the result of the proceeding would have been
different. A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the
outcome, but it does not require that a defendant demonstrate that he would have been
acquitted.” State v. Kougl, 2004 MT 243, ¶ 25, 323 Mont. 6, ¶ 25, 97 P.3d 1095, ¶ 25
(quotations and citations omitted).
¶53 Before examining an ineffective assistance of counsel claim on direct appeal, we
generally look to the record to see whether we can answer “why” counsel did or did not
perform as alleged. Kougl, ¶ 14. If we can answer “why,” we will address the issue on
appeal. If the claim is based on matters outside the record, we will refuse to address the
issue on appeal and allow the defendant to file a postconviction proceeding. Kougl, ¶ 14;
State v. Grixti, 2005 MT 296, ¶ 27, 329 Mont. 330, ¶ 27, ___ P.3d ___, ¶ 27. “Sometimes,
however, it is unnecessary to ask ‘why’ in the first instance”—for example, “when counsel
21
is faced with an obligatory, and therefore non-tactical, action.” Kougl, ¶ 15. In such a case,
“the question is not ‘why’ but ‘whether’ counsel acted.” Kougl, ¶ 15. In my view, the
circumstances of Newman’s trial qualify as such a case. The prosecution primarily relied
on testimony from Newman’s brother, Randy Jordan, at trial. Initially, the State charged
Jordan with criminal possession of dangerous drugs after police searched Newman’s home
and Jordan claimed ownership of all of the drugs uncovered. Before the trial, however,
Jordan, looking at thirty years in prison, agreed to testify against Newman in exchange for
thirty years of probation. Pursuant to this agreement, Jordan testified that the marijuana in
Newman’s house belonged to Newman, that she sold marijuana frequently, and that he too
sold drugs on her behalf. A review of the trial record provides no explanation as to why
defense counsel did not ask for an accomplice jury instruction with regard to Jordan’s
testimony. Given the importance of Jordan’s testimony to the State’s case, and the
significant benefit he received by testifying against his sister, the more appropriate question
is whether counsel acted. In light of Jordan’s alleged complicity in Newman’s conduct,
defense counsel had an obligation to request the instruction that the jury view Jordan’s
accomplice testimony with suspicion.
¶54 If, for tactical reasons, counsel believes such an instruction would be inappropriate,
counsel should make a record of that position.1 In the absence of a strategic reason being
1
Although defense counsel is not normally required to make a record of why he or
she is not requesting a jury instruction, such a procedure is logical when a particular
instruction, aimed at protecting the defendant, is statutorily required in “appropriate”
circumstances. Section 26-1-303, MCA.
22
apparent on the record or a statement on the record from defense counsel specifically
declining such an instruction, the language of § 26-1-303(4), MCA, requires that when a
witness purports to have been an accomplice of the accused, effective defense counsel must
request an accomplice instruction.
¶55 In Kougl we faced the same issue presented here—that is, whether defense counsel’s
failure to ask that the jury be instructed to view an accomplice’s testimony with suspicion
constituted ineffective assistance of counsel. We held that since the State’s case against the
defendant was largely based on the credibility of three accomplices, “trial counsel failed to
use the law to strike at the heart of the State’s case” by not requesting the accomplice jury
instruction. Kougl, ¶ 20. In light of this failure, Kougl experienced prejudice “because the
instructions would have conveyed to the jurors that the law commanded them to view the
State’s crucial evidence with distrust such that there is a reasonable probability they would
have arrived at a different outcome.” Kougl, ¶ 26. We concluded that “trial counsel could
have no plausible explanation for not asking for instructions on accomplice testimony,” and
therefore her performance was deficient, satisfying the first prong of the Strickland test.
Kougl, ¶ 24. In addition, we noted that Kougl’s trial counsel further failed him by not
requesting an instruction that such testimony must be corroborated pursuant to § 46-16-213,
MCA. “The corroborating evidence need not be robust in such a situation, but it must raise
more than a suspicion of the defendant’s involvement in, or opportunity to commit, the crime
charged.” Kougl, ¶ 21 (citations omitted).
23
¶56 It should be noted that in Kougl we distinguished State v. Johnson (1993), 257 Mont.
157, 848 P.2d 496, 499, a case involving the same issue: whether counsel incorrectly failed
to request a jury instruction providing that accomplice testimony must be viewed with
distrust. We determined in Kougl that because “Johnson claimed that he was not at the scene
of the crime, . . . asking the jury to view his accuser as an ‘accomplice’ would contradict this
defense”; thus we held that a record-based justification existed for why Johnson’s counsel
did not ask for an instruction on accomplice testimony, whereas no such record-based
justification existed in Kougl. Kougl, ¶ 18 (citing Johnson, 257 Mont. at 163, 848 P.2d at
499). I think we need to clarify the Johnson rationale. To hold that an accomplice
instruction is inappropriate when a defendant maintains his innocence is illogical. Because
instructions only come into play at trial and no trial occurs unless the defendant maintains
his innocence, under the Johnson rationale, an accomplice instruction would never be
strategically appropriate, as it would always contradict the assertion of innocence. The
unwritten assumption in Johnson is that a defendant who requests an accomplice instruction
admits to having committed a criminal act in concert with the accomplice.2 In my view,
however, requesting an accomplice instruction in fact supports a defendant’s position of
innocence by directing the jury to view with distrust the accusations of a witness who
purports to have acted in concert. I would therefore qualify the Johnson rationale and
2
This concern assumes that the instruction is couched in terms of an “accomplice.”
There is, however, no need to use the offending term “accomplice” in the jury instruction.
Notably, the statute at issue does not use the term “accomplice.” Rather, it speaks in
terms of a person “legally accountable.” Section 26-1-303(4), MCA.
24
require, pursuant to § 26-1-303(4), MCA, that when a witness purports to have been an
accomplice, defense counsel must request an accomplice instruction or state on the record
that, for tactical reasons, the defendant does not want the instruction given; in the words of
§ 26-1-303, MCA, counsel must make a record that, given the testimony, the case at hand
is not a “proper occasion” for such an instruction. State v. Hall, 2003 MT 253, ¶ 30, 317
Mont. 356, ¶ 30, 77 P.3d 239, ¶ 30.
¶57 With regard to this case, Jordan’s testimony that he helped Newman sell drugs
qualified him as a person “legally accountable for the acts of the accused.” Section 26-1-
303(4), MCA. Given the importance of Jordan’s testimony in convicting Newman, trial
counsel had an obligation to request an accomplice instruction directing the jury to view
Jordan’s testimony with distrust. If the jury had received such an instruction, as well as been
directed to find corroborating evidence for Jordan’s testimony, there is a reasonable
probability it would have returned a not guilty verdict. In accord with our decision in Kougl,
I can discern no tactical advantage to the trial counsel’s failure to request the appropriate
accountability jury instructions.
¶58 I would reverse the conviction and remand for a new trial.
/S/ W. WILLIAM LEAPHART
Justice Brian Morris joins the specially concurrence of Justice Leaphart.
/S/ BRIAN MORRIS
25
26
Justice Jim Rice dissenting.
¶59 Reversal of this matter for the reasons stated in Justice Nelson’s opinion is
unnecessary and condones abuse of the legal system. I dissent.
¶60 In State v. Rodarte, 2002 MT 317, 313 Mont. 131, 60 P.3d 983, we addressed the
permissible scope of a prosecutor’s closing argument and held:
While it is improper for the prosecution to comment on the failure of a
defendant to testify on his own behalf, the prosecution is permitted to point out
facts at issue which could have been controverted by persons other than the
defendant, but were not.
Rodarte, ¶ 14. Here, notwithstanding defense counsel’s perception, the prosecutor did not
comment on the Defendant’s failure to testify, but rather the failure of “persons other than
the defendant” to testify.
¶61 This distinction is further understood when the context of the prosecutor’s comments
is considered. The prosecutor had offered evidence of the traffic to and from Defendant’s
home in support of the drug distribution charges. To defeat this evidence, the Defendant
testified that these frequent visits were made by well-wishers who were giving her support
in her time of bereavement. Thus, the Defendant had not relied upon her presumption of
innocence—she had instead affirmatively offered an alternate explanation of the State’s
evidence. It was this proffered defense which the prosecutor commented upon, including the
failure of those in Defendant’s household to controvert the State’s facts:
We did not hear from Amber, her daughter. We did not hear from Mike, her
son. We did not hear from Miranda, the other girl who lived there for the last
three years. George Garcia, we didn’t hear from George Garcia. Did we hear
from Doug in Drummond? Didn’t hear from Doug. [Emphasis added.]
27
Thus, arguably, the prosecutor’s attack was not made upon Defendant’s presumption of
innocence, but upon the defense and testimony which the Defendant had affirmatively
offered, and the failure of persons to testify who could have controverted the State’s
evidence.
¶62 These circumstances illustrate the impropriety of exercising plain error review in this
case. Defense counsel elected not to object to the prosecutor’s closing for a reason: so he
could use the prosecutor’s comments against the State during his own closing argument.
Thus, he sat quiet during the prosecutor’s closing, when an objection would have
immediately brought the matter to the judge’s attention, and instead sought to discredit the
State’s case by raising the issue in closing. If it would have worked, and the jury had
acquitted, this case would not be before us.
¶63 However, it failed, and now Defendant wants to have her cake and eat it too. This
Court should not countenance such manipulations and abuse of the legal system. The trial
judge could well have addressed the problem at the time, but it was defense counsel’s choice
to take the issue from the judge for his own purposes. When a defendant participates in trial
error, he cannot then challenge the error on appeal. “We will not put a district court in error
for an action in which the appealing party acquiesced or actively participated.” State v.
Harris, 1999 MT 115, ¶ 32, 294 Mont. 397, ¶ 32, 983 P.2d 881, ¶ 32 (citing State v. Clay,
1998 MT 244, ¶ 24, 291 Mont. 147, ¶ 24, 967 P.2d 370, ¶ 24).
¶64 This dissent is criticized as based on “pure speculation.” See ¶ 46. To the contrary,
we need not speculate that the defense counsel was aware of the presumption of innocence
28
issue—counsel used the issue in his closing. We need not speculate that defense counsel
decided not to object to the prosecution’s closing—the record clearly demonstrates that no
objection was made. We need not speculate that defense counsel used the issue to attempt
to persuade the jury to acquit the defendant—the record clearly illustrates this as well. This
issue was not properly preserved for appeal because defense counsel chose instead to gamble
with it at trial. Indeed, we need only ask why plain error review should be exercised in a
situation in which the error is not “plain,” but, rather, where the defense clearly used the
issue for its own purposes at trial and now seeks to avoid the consequences of that decision
on appeal.
¶65 I now turn to Justice Leaphart’s concurring opinion, which concludes that reversal is
appropriate because “defense counsel had an obligation to request the instruction that the
jury view Jordan’s accomplice testimony with suspicion.” ¶ 53.
¶66 Section 26-1-303, MCA (emphasis added), provides that the “jury is to be instructed
by the court on all proper occasions” that the testimony of “a person legally accountable for
the acts of the accused” is to be viewed with distrust. We held in State v. Johnson (1993),
257 Mont. 157, 848 P.2d 496, that the plain wording of the statute does not require this
instruction to be given in every case involving an accomplice, and overruled the contrary
holding in State v. Laubach (1982), 201 Mont. 226, 653 P.2d 844, as conflicting with the
statute. Johnson, 257 Mont. at 162-63, 848 P.2d at 499. We recently explained in Kougl
why an accomplice instruction was not appropriate in Johnson:
[I]n Johnson there was a record-based justification for not asking for an
instruction on accomplice testimony. Johnson claimed that he was not at the
29
scene of the crime, and asking the jury to view his accuser as an “accomplice”
would contradict this defense. Johnson, 257 Mont. at 163, 848 P.2d at 499.
Therefore, there was a tactical reason for not asking for the jury instruction.
It was proper for this Court to ask “why” and then answer that question from
the record.
Kougl, ¶ 18. Concluding that Kougl’s trial counsel “could have no plausible explanation”
for failing to request an accomplice instruction under the evidence in that case, we
distinguished Johnson and reversed Kougl’s conviction. Kougl, ¶¶ 24, 27.
¶67 The concurring opinion suggests that we revisit Johnson, believing its rationale
“illogical,” because “an accomplice instruction would never be strategically appropriate, as
it would always contradict the assertion of innocence” by a defendant who goes to trial.
¶ 56. However, I believe this case illustrates well why the Johnson rule should be retained,
and that there is clear reason why the statute does not require the instruction to be given in
all such cases.
¶68 First, Newman and Jordan were not charged with the same offenses at the time of
trial. The concurring opinion points to Jordan’s testimony that he helped Newman sell drugs
in an effort to link Jordan to the charges against Newman for criminal distribution of
dangerous drugs and possession of drugs with intent to distribute. However, Jordan was
charged with theft, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and aggravated
burglary, none of which involved distribution of or the intent to distribute drugs. Thus, the
parties were not accomplices by virtue of the respective charges filed against them.
30
¶69 Second, and more critically, is the evidence. The sum total of Jordan’s testimony
upon which Newman and the concurring opinion rely for the proposition that Jordan “helped
Newman sell drugs,” ¶ 57, consists of the following:
Defense Counsel: And were you selling drugs?
Jordan: No, not really, I don’t think. Maybe once or twice for her.
¶70 This brief, ambiguous comment is insufficient to support an assertion that Jordan is
“legally accountable for the acts of the accused.” Section 26-1-303(4), MCA. Contrary to
Newman’s characterization, Jordan testified that he did not sell any drugs, or, at best, that
“maybe” he had, but was not sure. How different this case is from Kougl, where we noted
that “[t]he parties are agreed that Loney, Pool, and Fassler were accomplices” with Kougl,
Kougl, ¶ 20, and, indeed, the evidence overwhelmingly supported that conclusion. Kougl,
¶ 8. “[A] criminal defendant is entitled to jury instructions that cover every issue or theory
having support in the evidence.” State v. Beavers, 1999 MT 260, ¶ 23, 296 Mont. 340, ¶ 23,
987 P.2d 371, ¶ 23. Obviously, the converse is not true: a defendant cannot be forced to
bear an instruction which is not supported by the evidence.
¶71 Thirdly, there is a legitimate, strategic component to the giving, and thus, the
requesting, of this instruction. Here, an accomplice instruction would appear to have been
completely inconsistent with Newman’s defense. She testified, and her theory was, that the
drugs and paraphernalia seized in the house were not hers, and that Jordan’s testimony about
her sale of drugs was false:
Defense Counsel: . . . So it’s your testimony that none of this drug
paraphernalia is yours; is that correct?
31
Newman: That is correct.
Defense Counsel: What about the drugs themselves?
Newman: No, sir, they are not mine.
Defense Counsel: Were you using those drugs or selling those drugs, or did
you participate with other people in selling those drugs for money?
Newman: No, I have never sold drugs.
....
Defense Counsel: Now, you’ve heard Randy [Jordan]’s testimony that he said
he saw you sell drugs to the people coming into the house or that you would
drive somewhere to locations and sell drugs; you’ve heard that testimony?
Newman: Yes, I have.
Defense Counsel: Is that true?
Newman: No, it is not.
Defense Counsel: Did you ever go with [Jordan] anywhere to sell drugs or -
Newman: No, sir.
¶72 Given this testimony and Newman’s theory, it would have been supreme
incongruence for Newman to ask that the jury be instructed to view Jordan’s testimony with
distrust for being legally accountable for acts which Newman adamantly claimed never
occurred. Unlike the record in Kougl, the evidence here presented a legitimate strategic
reason for declining to request the instruction. Alternatively, Newman’s trial counsel could
have requested the accomplice instruction for purposes of attacking Jordan’s testimony.
However, that decision would have required taking a risk—that the jury would recognize the
32
incongruence between Newman’s argument that Jordan was an accomplice and her theory
that the acts had not occurred. “[I]t is not proper to give an accountability instruction [based
upon § 26-1-303(4), MCA] where it is not supported by the evidence and is inconsistent with
the defendant’s claim of innocence.” State v. Hall, 2003 MT 253, ¶ 30, 317 Mont. 356, ¶
30, 77 P.3d 239, ¶ 30 (emphasis added). On matters of strategy, we cannot second-guess
counsel. “[W]e will not find ineffective assistance of counsel . . . in counsel’s tactical
decisions.” Weaver v. State, 2005 MT 158, ¶ 25, 327 Mont. 441, ¶ 25, 114 P.3d 1039, ¶ 25.
¶73 The concurring opinion’s statement that “[t]o hold that an accomplice instruction is
inappropriate when a defendant maintains his innocence is illogical” (¶ 56) may be correct
when viewed in isolation. However, the statement does not fully circumscribe the law.
Under the statute and our cases, the accomplice instruction is inappropriate when it is
inconsistent with the particular theory or evidence a defendant presents in support of his
claim of innocence. In those cases, requesting the instruction becomes a tactical matter. In
Kougl, the case as presented left no room for a tactical decision, and the instruction was
appropriate. Here, the opposite was true.
¶74 I would affirm.
/S/ JIM RICE
33
Justice John Warner dissents.
¶75 I respectfully dissent from the Court’s decision to remand this case for a new trial.
I agree with the dissent of Justice Rice concerning Justice Leaphart’s concurring opinion
commencing at ¶ 65. Relating to Justice Nelson’s opinion, in my view it takes the
prosecutor’s closing argument out of context, and then goes on to erroneously undertake a
plain error review of the case to reach its conclusions.
¶76 In considering the appropriateness of plain error review, the Court ignores the
principle that we do not lightly excuse the failure to raise a contemporaneous objection but
utilize plain error review sparingly. Finley, 276 Mont. at 138, 915 P.2d at 215. The Court
justifies its use of plain error review by stating that a failure to address the alleged improper
closing argument by the prosecution would bring into question the fundamental fairness of
Newman’s trial. While this Court has held that utilizing plain error review is proper when
a failure to review the claimed error “may leave unsettled the question of the fundamental
fairness of the trial,” Finley, 276 Mont. at 137, 915 P.2d at 215, I cannot agree that the trial
in the present case was fundamentally unfair.
¶77 While the prosecution’s comments could have been more artfully phrased, the
transcript shows the arguments in question were not at all aimed at the presumption of
innocence. They were an attack on Newman’s credibility. Newman testified at the trial.
Thus, the prosecution could properly comment on her credibility. We have previously found
it proper for the prosecution “to comment on conflicts and contradictions in testimony, as
well as to comment on the evidence presented and suggest to the jury inferences which may
34
be drawn therefrom.” State v. Daniels, 2003 MT 247, ¶ 26, 317 Mont. 331, ¶ 26, 77 P.3d
224, ¶ 26 (quoting State v. Gladue, 1999 MT 1, ¶¶ 14-15, 293 Mont. 1, ¶¶ 14-15, 972 P.2d
827, ¶¶ 14-15). The prosecution’s argument was that Newman’s version of events was not
credible, and Newman’s failure to call certain witnesses implied that her version of events
was not credible. As such, when taken in context, the prosecution’s closing was not
improper.
¶78 Even assuming, arguendo, that the prosecution’s closing was an attack on the
presumption of innocence, which it was not, Newman has failed to establish any resulting
prejudice. This Court has previously held that the burden is on the defendant to demonstrate,
from the record, that improper comments by the prosecution prejudiced the defendant’s right
to a fair and impartial trial. Gladue, ¶ 27. In the present case, while Newman’s counsel
failed to object to the prosecution’s closing, he clearly pointed out to the jury that Newman
was presumed innocent and had no obligation to present any witnesses. He argued:
Mr. Fulbright [the prosecutor] brought up where are the other
witnesses, where is Amber, where are these people that come to the house if
they were supporting them. If you remember one thing about the Rices, they
both testified that they never saw anyone using drugs at the house and they
never saw any drug deals going on in the house. And as Mr. Fulbright
indicated, it sounds as if they’re watching this house pretty closely. I mean,
they’re taking down notes, they’re writing down license plate numbers to
investigate these people. And Mr. Fulbright says, well, where are these people
now? Well, it is not the Defendant’s burden. It’s not our burden to prove that
my client is innocent. It’s the State’s burden to produce those types of
witnesses that may implement [sic] my client in a crime. It’s the government’s
burden to prove each and every element beyond a reasonable doubt. That’s
the most important principal [sic] of our constitution. And that Sandra is
innocent until proven guilty and you all assured me you will do that. And I
believe you still will.
35
¶79 This argument by Newman’s counsel, as well as the jury instructions that clearly state
it is the State’s burden to prove each element of the alleged offense beyond a reasonable
doubt, make it clear that Newman received a fair trial. Considering the entire record,
Newman’s fundamental constitutional rights are not implicated in this case, the fundamental
fairness of the trial is not called into question, and the integrity of the judicial process is not
compromised.
¶80 As the prosecution’s closing argument, taken in context, was not improper, and the
record reflects that Newman was not prejudiced by such argument, the Court should not
undertake plain error review. I would affirm the conviction and dissent from our refusal to
do so.
/S/ JOHN WARNER
36
Chief Justice Karla M. Gray, dissenting.
¶81 I respectfully dissent from the Court’s decision to reverse and remand for a new trial.
¶82 With regard to Justice Nelson’s opinion, it is my view the various opinions in this
case illustrate that whether prosecutorial misconduct actually occurred during closing
argument is a close question. Having read the entire transcript, it is clear to me that the case
boiled down to a question of whether the jury believed Randy Jordan or whether it believed
Sandra Jordan Newman, his sister and the defendant in this case. Indeed, that was the thrust
of defense counsel's opening statement and his closing argument. And without a doubt,
Jordan's credibility was brought into clear focus by both the State and defense counsel. The
same was true of defendant Newman. Both the State and the defense presented other
witnesses in their cases-in-chief, but Jordan and Newman were the "battleground" in this
case. His--the State's--theory was that Newman was responsible for the drugs and
paraphernalia; her theory was that either Jordan and/or her daughter Amber, who was in a
group home at the time of trial because of her drug activities, was responsible. In this "big
picture" context, it is reasonable to argue that the prosecution merely commented on gaps
in the defense case by briefly referring to witnesses who did not appear. It also is reasonable
to argue that the prosecution's references touched on the presumption of innocence.
¶83 Even assuming, however, that prosecutorial misconduct occurred, my review of the
record convinces me that it was minor in the context of the overall case and does not rise to
the level of reviewable plain error. The trial in this matter lasted over one and one-half days,
37
18 witnesses were called and recalled, and scores of State exhibits were admitted into
evidence.
¶84 Closing arguments--by the State and defense counsel--cover a mere 37 pages of a
transcript containing over 475 pages. In its first closing argument, the prosecution's
references to witnesses not called covers, at most, 23 lines of an 18-page argument.
Experienced defense counsel's closing focused primarily on credibility--as had his opening
statement--and pointed the finger at Jordan and/or Amber as the responsible parties. From
a 15-page closing argument, one can extract, at most, 33 lines of argument relating to the
State's "where are they?" references, primarily hammering on the State's burden to prove its
case beyond a reasonable doubt. The prosecution did not refer to these matters again in its
final closing argument.
¶85 Appellate counsel understandably--in the absence of any objection by trial counsel
to the remarks by the prosecution--requests plain error review pursuant to Finley, our
seminal case on that subject, and State v. Sullivan (1996), 280 Mont. 25, 927 P.2d 1033. We
have stated on numerous occasions that such review should be exercised only sparingly.
See, e.g., State v. Gray, 2004 MT 347, ¶ 13, 324 Mont. 334, ¶ 13, 102 P.3d 1255, ¶ 13; State
v. Godfrey, 2004 MT 197, ¶ 22, 322 Mont. 254, ¶ 22, 95 P.3d 166, ¶ 22; State v. Rinkenbach,
2003 MT 348, ¶ 13, 318 Mont. 499, ¶ 13, 82 P.3d 8, ¶ 13; State v. Daniels, 2003 MT 247,
¶ 20, 317 Mont. 331, ¶ 20, 77 P.3d 224, ¶ 20. Indeed, the Finley test for plain error review
is that such review should be exercised when failing to do so "may result in a manifest
miscarriage of justice, may leave unsettled the question of the fundamental fairness of the
38
trial or proceedings, or may compromise the integrity of the judicial process." Finley, 276
Mont. at 137, 915 P.2d at 215. On the record before us, and in light of appellate counsel's
candid observation that "points made during closing of counsel may be missed or quickly
forgotten[,]" I simply am not persuaded that plain error review is warranted here because I
am not convinced Newman's constitutional rights were violated and, if they were, I do not
believe any violation impacted on the fundamental fairness of the trial.
¶86 I also am not persuaded that Sullivan advances Newman's cause. Sullivan is a classic
case of prosecutorial comment on a defendant's post-Miranda silence in which we applied
plain error review on appeal. There, the prosecutor commented on the defendant's post-
Miranda silence in his opening statement, during his case-in-chief and during his closing
argument, all without objection from defense counsel. See Sullivan, 280 Mont. at 29-31, 927
P.2d at 1036. Here, Newman voluntarily spoke with law enforcement during the search of
her home, voluntarily took the stand in her own defense and called other witnesses on her
behalf. The Sullivan "silence" case has no application or relevance here. I would decline
to apply plain error review and affirm the District Court on appeal.
¶87 I also join in Justice Rice’s dissent from Justice Leaphart’s opinion determining that
ineffective assistance of counsel occurred regarding the accomplice instruction and reversing
and remanding for a new trial. In my view, Justice Leaphart’s legal analysis is flawed, as
Justice Rice’s dissent makes clear. Further, nothing in § 26-1-303(4), MCA, even suggests
that criminal defense counsel must make a record regarding why a jury instruction is not
required. The burden which would be placed on criminal defense counsel should the Court
itself start such micro-management of their trial strategies and performance is, to say the
39
very least, unwarranted. Finally, I would conclude that Newman’s other claim of ineffective
assistance--namely, the lack of objection to the prosecutor’s comments in closing argument--
be pursued, if at all, via a postconviction relief proceeding.
¶88 I dissent.
/S/ KARLA M. GRAY
40