Summary
In Thomas, on the other hand, the trial judge — in a bench trial — flatly refused defense counsel's request to give a closing argument.
Summary of this case from Williams v. U.S.Opinion
Nos. 82-1704, 83-218.
Submitted January 31, 1984.
Decided March 7, 1984.
Appeal from the Superior Court, George W. Mitchell, J.
Gregory Collins, Washington, D.C., appointed by this court, was on brief for appellant.
Stanley S. Harris, U.S. Atty., Washington, D.C., at the time the brief was filed, Michael W. Farrell, Terrence J. Keeney, and John H. Palmer, Jr., Asst. U.S. Attys., Washington, D.C., were on brief for appellee.
Before NEBEKER, MACK and PRYOR, Associate Judges.
At the conclusion of the evidence at appellant's bench trial on December 17, 1982, the trial court refused defense counsel's request to give a closing argument. Appellant argues and the government concedes that the trial court's refusal constituted reversible error. We agree.
This issue was raised as part of appellant's motion for a new trial filed December 20, 1982. There too, the government did not contest the alleged error.
In Herring v. New York, 422 U.S. 853, 95 S.Ct. 2550, 45 L.Ed.2d 593 (1975), the Supreme Court held that the defense has "a right to be heard in summation of the evidence." Id. at 864, 95 S.Ct. at 2556 (emphasis added). The denial of that right can never be deemed harmless. Moreover, the trial court's attempted remedy at a hearing held January 13, 1983 upon appellant's motion for a new trial in no way satisfied the Herring right. Though the trial court gave defense counsel an opportunity to present a closing argument at that time, counsel had been given no notice to this effect and, most critically, appellant was not present at the hearing. Remanded for new trial.
In light of the above disposition, we find it unnecessary to reach appellant's other arguments as to the inconsistencies in the court's judgment and the propriety of the court's sentence requiring restitution. Note, however, this court's opinion in Haynesworth v. United States, 473 A.2d 366 (D.C. 1984).