People v. Petrucelli

Viewed in its context with the entire case (United States v. Socony-Vacuum Oil Co., 310 U. S. 150, 240), the prejudicial and sometimes unethical conduct of the prosecuting attorney has nullified this conviction. While cross-examining a principal defense witness, he remarked, “ I don’t have to believe him. I believe Joan ” (the principal prosecution witness). His summation called the defendant and a defense witness, and by implication all of the defense witnesses, a ‘ ‘ bunch of thieves ’ ’. The expression by a prosecutor of his personal opinion of the witnesses’ credibility is improper…