Florida District Courts of Appeal, 1975

Vedder v. State

Vedder v. State
Florida District Courts of Appeal · Decided May 20, 1975 · Barkdull, Nathan, Pearson
313 So. 2d 49; 1975 Fla. App. LEXIS 14854 (Southern Reporter, Second Series)

Vedder v. State

Opinion of the Court

PER CURIAM.

The appellant was found guilty by a jury of (1) delivering a controlled substance to a minor child under 18 years of age and (2) possession of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to ten years imprisonment on count 1 and to imprisonment by confinement at hard labor for a term of one year on count 2, the sentences to run concurrently. The only substantial question presented on this appeal is “whether the trial court erred in denying defendant’s motion for a mistrial and his motion for a new trial where the prosecutor improperly cross-examined the defendant and made inflammatory remarks to the jury.”

Our review of the record shows that the remarks, while improper, were not such as to deprive the appellant of a fair trial. An accused is entitled to a fair trial, not a perfect one. Lutwak v. U. S., 344 U.S. 604, 73 S.Ct. 481, 97 L.Ed. 593 (1953), and Simpson v. State, Fla.App.1968, 211 So.2d 862. In the present instance, the proof of guilt is direct, clear and overwhelming. We, therefore, hold that no prejudicial error is shown. See Fla.St. § 924.33 and Brantley v. State, Fla. 1973, 279 So.2d 290.

Affirmed.

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