What is the impact of a prosecutor's "gratuitous" and "unnecessarily gratuitous" remarks to a jury?

The transcript shows that the prosecutor's remarks were accompanied by other statements reminding the jury of the government's burden of proof and urging jurors to weigh the evidence carefully and take their time to render a verdict. Proper argument does not alter the character of these gratuitous remarks, though it does suggest that any effect on the jury caused by the questionable statements could be minimal. See United States v. Laurins, 857 F.2d 529, 539 (9th Cir.1988) (statements must be viewed in context to see whether they affect the fairness of the trial).