United States v. Kennon

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT No. 99-30854 Conference Calendar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, versus BEVERLY J. KENNON, Defendant-Appellant. -------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana USDC No. 99-CR-60008-01 -------------------- August 23, 2000 Before KING, Chief Judge, and POLITZ and WIENER, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Beverly J. Kennon appeals from her conviction for six counts of theft of mail by a postal employee in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1709. She argues that the prosecutor’s improper remarks during closing argument constituted plain error. We disagree. The statements made by the prosecutor were improper, suggesting to the jury that it should convict Kennon based on past misconduct. However, in light of the district court’s instructions to the jury and the overwhelming evidence of Kennon’s guilt, the three statements made by the prosecutor did not substantially affect * Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.4. No. 99-30854 -2- Kennon’s right to a fair trial and therefore did not amount to constitutional error. See United States v. Sotelo, 97 F.3d 782, 793 (5th Cir. 1996). Accordingly, the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED. AFFIRMED.