Rojas v. Richardson
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
703 F.2d 186 (1983)
Rojas (plaintiff) sued Richardson (defendant) for negligence after being injured working as a ranch hand. During closing arguments, Richardson's attorney repeatedly called Rojas an alien, urged the jury not to give him special treatment as an illegal alien, and invoked a reverse-golden-rule argument asking jurors to imagine the treatment they'd receive in Mexico. Rojas's attorney did not object, and the court instructed the jury only generally that all persons are equal before the law. The jury found for Richardson, and Rojas appealed.
Whether a reviewing court may reverse a jury verdict for prejudicial statements made during closing arguments even when the statements were not objected to at trial.