We u se t h ese i n i ti al s i n stead o f t h e ch i l d ’ s f u l l n am e i n o rd er t o p r o t ect t h e ch i l d ’ s i n t er est s. 1 I N TH E S U PR EM E C O U R T O F M I S S I S S I PPI N O. 2 0 0 3 - CT - 0 0 3 8 6 - S CT VI CKI E BAL OU CH

v. S T A T E O F M IS S IS S IP P I O N W RI T O F C E RT I O RA

RI D AT E O F JU D G M E N T : 02/ 18/ 2003 TRI A L J U D G E: H O N . K EI TH S TA RR ETT C O URT F RO M W HI C H AP P E

ALE D: P I K E

C O UN T Y C I RC UI T

C O URT ATTO RN E

Y F O R AP P E

L L AN T : L . ABRAHAM RO W E , J R. ATTO RN EY

F O R A P P ELLEE: DI S T RIC T ATT O RN E

Y: O F F I C E O F T HE ATT O RN E

Y GE N E RA L B Y : J E FFR E Y A . K L I N G FU SS D E E B AT E S NAT U R E OF T HE C A S E : C R I M I NA L - F E L ONY D I S P O S I TI O N : THE J U D G M EN T O F THE C O U

RT O F A P P EA LS I S R E V E R S E D . T HE J U D G M E NT OF T HE P I KE C O U N TY C I RC U I T C O U RT I S REI

N S TATED A N DA FFI R M E D- 10/ 05/

2006 M O T I O N F O R R

E HE AR I N G F I L E D: M AN DAT

E I S S UE D:

E N B A NC . CO B B , P R ES I D I N G

J US TI CE, F O R THE CO UR T: ¶1 . Vi c k i e B a l o u c h w a s f o u n d g u i l ty b y a P i k e C o u n ty C i rc u i t C o u rt ju ry o f t h e “ p la c in g o u

t” of D .L . i n v i ol at i on of M i s s . C od e A

n n . § § 4 3- 15 - 23 ( R

ev . 2 00 4) . S he w as s en t en ced to t h r ee 1 y ear s i n t h e c ustod y

of t h e M i s s i s s i pp i D epar t m en t of C or r ect i on s , w i t h on e y ear t o ser v e an d t w o y ear s on p o s t - r e l e as e s u

per v i s i on , an d f i n ed $1 ,0 00 . S h

e appeal ed, an d t h e ca s e was as s i

g n edJo h n N e w to n w a s f o rm e rl y m a rri e d to [D . L . ’s] b i

o l o g i c a l m o th e r. 2 B a l o u c h a l so to l d th e S m i th s th at [ D . L . ] h a d b e e n rem o v e d f ro m th e N e w to n s’ h o m e d u e to dru g 3 u s e by P au l a. P au l a w as u n d er t h e b el i ef t h at B al o u ch h ad tak en [ D . L . ] t o t

h e sto r e an d w as u n aw ar e t h at sh e 4 h ad act u al l y t ak en t h e ch i l d t o v i si t t h e S m i t h s. 2 t o t h e C ou r t of A pp eal s , w h i ch r ev er s ed h er con v i ct i on an d r en der ed a v erdi ct of n ot g u i l t y , b as ed
on i t s h ol di n g t h at e v i de n c e i n t h e r e c ord w a s i

n s u f f i c i e n t t o s u ppor t t h e v e rdi c t . U pon g r a n t of
c e rti o r a r i, w e c o n

c l u d e th e C o u rt o f A p p e a l s e rre d . T

h e re f o re , w e re v

e rs e th e ju d g m e n t o f th e C o u rt o f A p p e a l s a n d re i n s tate a n d a f f i rm th e t r ia l c o u r t j u

d g m e n t e n te re d c o n s i s te n t w i th th e ju ry v e rd i c t. F ACTS ¶2. B al

ou ch as s i s t ed D r . D avi d S m i t h

an d h i s wi f e, A u t u m n S m i t h , i n con n ect i on wi t h t h ei r po s s i bl e adopt i o n o f D . L . T

h e f act s s et f or t h by t h e C ou r t of A pp eal s i n i t s op i n i on ( wi t h r en u m b er ed f o o t n o t es) ar e stat ed

i n t h ei r en ti r et y , as f o l l o w s: O n M a y 2 , 2 0 0 2 , B a l

o u c h c o n ta c te d h e r p h y s i c i a n , D r . D a v i

d S m i th , r eg ar d i n g t h e a d o p ti o n o f t h r ee- y ear - o l d [ D . L . ] . A

t t h e ti m e, b o t h o f [ D . L . ' s] b i ol og i c a l pa r e n t s w e r e i n c a r c e r at e d, a

n d [ D .L .] h

a d be e n t e m por a ri l y pl a c e d in t he h o m e o f h e r f o ste r p a ren ts, Jo h n a n d P a u la N e w t o n . B a l

o u c h f a l se l y i n f o rm e d D r. 2 Sm i t h t h at s he ha d a

w or ki n g r e l ati on s h i p wi t h t h e M i s s i s s i ppi D e pa r t m e n t of H u m a n Se r v i c e s ( D H S ) a n

d t h at s h e w or ke d w i t h ba t t e r e d wom

e n a n d c h i l dre n . Sh e al s o m i s r epr es en t ed t h at [ D . L . ] ha d b een

s ex u al l y abu s ed by J oh n an d t h at P au l a w as addi cted t o d r

u gs . L ater t h at n i g h t , D r . S m

i t h cal l ed B al ou ch t o i n f or m h er 3 t h at h e a n d h i s wi f e A u t u m n w ere i n t eres t ed i n pu r s u i n g t h e adopt i on . B al ou ch br ou g h t t h e ch i l d t o v i s i t wi t h t h e Sm i t h s t h e n ex t day . 4 O v er t h e co u r se of h er co m m u n i ca t i o n s wi

t h t h e S m i t h s, B al o u ch al so m i s re p re s e n te d th a t [D . L . ’s ] f

ath e r w a s i n c a rc e ra te d i n a T e x a s p ri s o n a n d th at h e[D . L . ’s] f ath e r w a s a c tu

a l l y in c a rce rate d i n Mi ss i ss i p p i a n d w a s u n a w a re o f B a l o u c h ’s 5 co m m u n i cati o n s w i t h t h e S m i t h s. T h e g ran d ju ry re tu rn e d a two - c o u n t i n d i c tm e n t a g a i n s t B a l o u c h w h i c h w a s l ate r s e v e re d b y th e 6 t ri a l c ou r t . C ou n t on e c h a rg e d B a l ou c h wi t h r e qu e s ti n g c om pe n s ati on f or pl a c i n g ou t a c h i l d, a n d c ou n t t w o ch ar g ed h er wi t h i l l eg al l y ob t ai n i n g pr es cr i pt i on dr u gs i n v i ol at i on of M i s s i s s i p p i C od e A n n ot ated se c ti o n 4 1 - 2 9 - 1 4 4 (R

e v . 2 0 0 4 ). 3 w a s w i l l i n g t o r e l i n qu i s h h i s pat e r n a l ri g h t s . Sh e a l s o s t at e d t

h at s h e h a d a w or ki ng 5 re l ati o n s h i p wi th l o c a l atto rn e y J a c k P ri c e w h o m s h e re c o m m e n d e d to h a n d l e th e a dopti on . B a l ou c h i n f or m e d t h e Sm i t h s t h at t h e y c ou l d e x pe c t t o pa y u p t o $5,000 i n at t or ney f ees an d ex pen s es f or t h e adopt i on . T h e Sm i t h s s oo n l ear n ed t h at [ D .L .' s ] f at h er w as u n wi l l i n g t o con s en t t o t he adop ti

on , an d B al ou ch w as s u bs e qu e n tl y i n di c t e d f or pl a c i n g ou t a c h i l d i n v i ol ati on of M i s s i s s i ppi C ode A n n o tatedse c ti

o n 4 3 - 1 5 - 2 3 (R

e v . 2 0 0 4 ). 6 B al ou ch v. St at e, 2 0 0 5 W L 2 3 5 8 3 3 8 , * 1 (Mi

ss . C t. A p p . 2 0 0 5 ). P R O CEED I N G S I N TH E CO UR T O F APP EALS ¶3 . B a l

o u c h ra i s e d f o u r i s s u e s o n a p p e a l, c h a l

l e n g i n g th e s u f f i c i e n c y a n d w e i g h t o f th e ev i den ce; i m pr op er j u r y i n s t r u ct i on s ; wi t n es s t e s t i

m o ny in v

i ol at i on of ph y s i ci an - pati en t pr i v i l eg e; an d specu l at i v e l ay op i n i on t es ti m on y . F in di n g r ev er s i bl e er r or du e to i n s u f f i ci en cy o f t h e e v

i d e n c e a n d h o l d i n g th at th e S tate f a i l e d to p ro v e e s s e n ti a l e l e m e n ts o f th e c ri m e , th e C ou r t of A ppe a l s de c l i n e d t o a ddr e s s t

h e ot h e r i s s u e s . B al ou ch v. St at e, 2005 W L 2358338,
* 2 - 4 . S peci

f i cal l y , t h e C ou r t of A pp eal s h el d t h e St ate f ai l ed t o p r ov

e t h at B al ou ch a r r anged t o p l ace D . L . i

n t h e S m i t h s’ h o m e f o r t h e p u r p o se o f f

r e e c ar e an

d ad o p ti o n p u r su an t t o Mi ss C o d e A n n . § 4 3 - 1 5 - 2 3 (1 ). I

d. * 2 . T he C o u

r t of A pp eal s f u r t h er h el d t h at ev en i f B al ou ch i l l eg al l y p l a c e d t h

e ch i l d o u t , t h e St ate f ai l ed t o p r ov

e s h e rece i v ed or re que s t e d c om pe n s ati on f or h e r s e r v i c e s pu r s u a n t t o M i s s . C ode A

n n . § 43- 15- 23( 2) . I

d. I n c o nc l

us i on , t h e C ou r t of4

A pp eal s det er m i n ed t h e ev i den ce w a s insu

f f i ci en t t o su pp or t t h e v erdi ct an d r ev er s ed an d
r e n de r e d. Id *4. ¶ 4. T h e St at e ’ s pe ti

ti on f or w r i t of

c e r ti or a ri r a i s e d t h e s ol e i s s u e of w h e t h e r t h e C ou r t of A pp eal s er r ed i n i t s i n t er pr etat i on of t h e s t a t ut o r

y l an g u ag e of M i s s . C od e A

n n . § 43 - 15 - 23 , an i s s u e of f i r s t i m pr es s i on . We f

ou n d t h e pet i ti on t o b e w el

l
- t aken , an d g r an t ed c e r ti or ar i. A f t er du e con s i de r a ti on of n ot on l y t h e s i n g l e i s s u e rai s ed by t h e St ate on

cer ti or ar i , b u t al s o al l ot h er i s s u es r ai s e d on di r ect appeal , w e n ow r ev er s e t h e j u dg m en t of t h e C ou r t of A pp eal s an d
re i n s tate a n d a f f i rm th e ju d g m e n t o f th e C i rc u i t C o u rt o f P i k e C o u n ty . A N A L Y S IS ¶5 . In B us h v. St at e , 8 9 5 S o . 2 d

8 3 6 , 8 4 3 -4 4 ( M i

s s . 2 0 0 5 ) , t

h i s C o u r t l a i d t o rest som

e c on f u s i on s u r r ou n di n g t h e di f f e r e n c e be t w e e n r e v i e w of t h e w e i g h t a n d s u f f i c i e n c y of t he
ev i den ce. Wh en r ev i ew i n g t h e s u f f i ci en cy of t h e ev i den ce, t h i s C ou r t , a f t e r v i ew i n g t h e ev i den ce i n a l i g h t m ost f av or abl e to t he p r o s e c ut i

on , m u s t det er m i n e w h et h er an y r at i on al t ri er of f act c ou l d h av e f ou n d t h e e s s e n ti a l e l e m e n t s of t h e c ri m e be y on d a r e a s o na b l e dou

bt . I d. at 8 4 3 . If t h i s C ou r t de t e r m i n e s t h e e v i de n c e i s i n s u f f i c i e n t t o s u ppor t t h e v e rdi c t , t h e pr ope r r e m e dy i s t o r e v e r s e a n d r e n de r . I d. Wh ere s u f f i ci en cy of t h e ev i den ce i s d e t e r m ine d w i

t h i n a con t ex t
r e q u i ri n g t h e de f i n i ti on of s t at u t or y e l e m e n t s of a c ri m e , t h e c or r e c t s t at u t or y c on s t r u c t i o n b y t h e cou r t s i s cr i ti cal . ¶ 6 . Ba l

o u c h wa s f o u n d g u i l ty o f th e p l a c i n g o u t o f a c h i l d i n v i o l ati o n o f M i s s . C o d e An

n . § 4 3- 15 - 23 , w

h i ch becam e ef f ect i v e f r om an d af t er J u l y 1, 1 9 8 6 , a nd w h

i ch r eads i n per ti n en t5

p ar t , as f o l l o w s: ( 1) A s u s e d in t hi

s s e c ti on t h e t e r m “ pl a c i n g ou t” m e a n s to arr an ge f or t h e f r ee c a re o f a c h i l d i n a f am i l y , o th e r th a n th at o f th e c h i l d ’s p a re n t, s te p p a re n t, g r a n dpa r e n t , b r ot h e r , s i s t e r , u n c l e or a u n t or l e g a l g u a rdi a n , f or t h e pu r pos e of a d o p ti o n o r f o r t h e p u rp o se o f p ro v i d i n g c a re. (E m p h a si s a d d e d ). ( 2) N o p er s on

, ag en cy , ass oci at i on , c o r p o r at

i on , i n s ti t u ti on , soci et y or ot h er org a n i z ati on , e x c e pt a c h i l d pl a c e m e n t a g e nc y l i c e n s e d by t h e D e pa r t m e n t of P u bl i c We l f are u n der S ect i on 43 - 15 - 5, s h

al l requ est , r e c e i

v e or a c c e p t a ny c om pe n s ati on or t h i n g of v a l u e , di re c t l y or i ndi re c t l y , f o r t he p l a c i

n g ou t of a c h i l d . (E m p h a si s a d d e d ). ( 3) N o pe r s on

s h a l l pa y or g i v e a n y c om pe n s ati on or t h i n g of v a l u e , d ir e c t l y or i n di r e c tl y , f or pl a c ing o ut of

a c h i l d t o a n y pe r s on , a g e n c y , a s s oc i ati on , c o r por ati on , i n s ti t u ti on , s oc i e t y or ot h e r org a n i z ati on e x c e pt a c h i l d pl a c e m e nt ag en cy l i cen s ed by t h e D epar t m en t of P u bl i c We l f are. . . . . [ h e r e de l e t e d s u b- s e c ti on 4 w h i c h t a l ks of pa y m e n t of s a l a r i e s t o D H S, etc .] ( 5) A n y per s on , ag en cy , ass oci at i on , cor po r at i on , i n s ti t u ti on , soci et y or ot h er or g an i z at i on v i ol at i n g t h e pr ov i s i on s o f t hi

s s ect i on s h al l be g u i l t y of i l l eg al pl ace m en t of ch i l dr en an d sh al l be pu n i s h ed by a f ine n ot t o ex cee d F i v e T h ou s an d D o l l a rs ($ 5 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 ) o r b y

i m p ri s o n me n t n

o t m o re th a n f i v e (5 ) y e a rs , o r b o th s uc h f i ne a nd i m p ri s o nm e nt . ¶7 . T h e S tate p o i

n ts to th e d e c e p ti o n p e r p e t r a t e d b y B a l

o u c h . It w a s e s ta

b l i s h e d th ro u g h th e t es ti m on y of D r . S m i t h t h at B al ou ch cl ai m ed sh e was w or

ki n g wi t h s oci al s er v i ces an d at t or n ey J a c k Pri c e , a n d t h at t h e a dopti on w oul d c os t a ppr ox i m at e l y $5,000. H ow e v

e r , s h e w a s n ot i n v olve d w i t h e i

t h e r s oc i a l s e r v i c e s or Pri c e . T h e St at e a rg u e s “ i t i s a n a bs ol u t e l y r e a s on a bl e i n f e re n c e f ro m th e e n ti re re c o rd th at d e f e n d a n t a s k e d fo r m

o n e y f o r arran g i n g th e ‘p l a c i n g o u t’ o r ‘ p l aci n g i n ’ o f t h e ch i l d . D ef en d an t w as t h e o n l y p er son g at h eri n g i n f o r m ati o n , co r r ect n am es, a ddr e s s e s , t

h e s ol e ke e pe r of t h e i n f or m ati on r e g a rdi n g t h e c h i l d t r a n s f e r .”6

¶8 . B a l

o u c h res p o n d s o n l y th at t h e S tate h

a s n o g ro u n d s f o r se e k i n g a w ri t o f c e rt i o rari , be c a u s e n on e of t h e M .R .A .P. 17 g

r ou n ds f or g r a n ti n g c e r ti or a r i e xi s t . S h

e ba s e s h e r pos i ti on o n h e r b e l

i e f th at “ [ t] h e o v e r wh e l m i n g m a jo ri ty o f th e o p i n i o n b y th e C o u r t o f Ap p e a l s i s o b i te r d i ct u m , an d i t i s t h i s di ct a w h i ch t h e S t at e se e k s t o h a v e r e v i ew ed b y t h i s C o u r t . ” T h u s, sh e ar g u es , t h e St ate h as “ com pl et el y i g n or ed t h e act u al basi s f or t h e r u l i n g of t he C ou r t of A pp eal s an d h as n o t sou g h t a r ev i ew o f t h e act u al b asi s f o r t h at r u l i n g . ” S h e g o es on t o stat e t

h e b asi s

“ w a s t h at t h e S t a t e f

a i l e d to pr ov

e on e of t h e e s s e n ti a l e l e m e n t s of t h e c ri m e c h a rg e d,
s peci f i ca l l y t h at [ h er] act i on s con s ti t u t ed a pl aci n g ou t of t h e ch i l d f or adop ti on .” We r ej ect B al ou ch ’ s ar gu m e nt . B eca

u s e t h e det er m i n at i on by t h e C ou r t of A pp eal s w as base d o n

an e rro n e o u s i n terp r e tati o n o f th e p l a i n l a n g u a g e o f Mi ss . C o d e A

n n . § 4 3 - 1 5 - 2 3 , th

i s m atte r i s pr ope rl y be f or e t h i s C ou r t on w ri t of c e r ti or a ri pu r s u a n t to M .R .A .P. 17. ¶ 9. T h e C ou r t of A ppe a l s s t at e d t h at B a l ou c h ha d t o re c e iv e s o me t h in g o f v a lu e t o b e g u ilt y pu r s u a n t t o t h e M i s s . C ode A

n n . § 43- 15- 23, bu

t w e n t on t o ho l d B a l

ou c h di d n ot r e qu e s t or r e c e i v e a t h i n g of v a l u e f or pl a c i n g ou t D .L . B al ou ch v. St at e, 2005 W L 2358338, *2, *6, 12- 13 . F u r t h er , t h e e vi d e n ce i s s u f f i ci en t t o sh ow t h at a rat i on al j u r or cou l d f i n d t h at B al ou ch
re qu e s te d , d i re c tl y o r i n d i re c tl y , p a y m e n t f o r th e p l a c i n g o u t o f D . L . B a l

o u c h n e v e r d i re c tl y a s ke d t h e Sm i t h s t o g i ve h e r a n y t h i n g of v a l u e f or t h e a dopti on . H ow e v

e r , i n orde r t o pr ov e B al ou ch gu i lt y of pl aci n g ou t D .L ., t h e St ate n eed on l y pr ov e s h e di r ect l y or i n di r ect l y r equ es t ed
a t h i n g of v a l u e ; t h e s t at u t e doe s n ot r e qu i r e s h e a c t u a l l y r e c e ive a ny

t h i n g of v a l u e . See su

p ra M i s s . C ode A

n n . § 43- 15- 23( 2) . T he Sm i t h s t e s ti f i e d t h at B a l ou c h t ol d t h e m t h e a dopti on w ou l d
c o s t a p p r o x i m ate l y $ 5 , 0 0 0 . Dr . S m

i th e x p r e s s e d c o n c e r n a b o u t t h i s c o s t a n d a s k e d B a lo u c h

wh y7

i t w ou l d b e s o m

u ch . B a l ou ch r es po n ded t h at s h e was w or

ki n g wi t h J ack Pr i ce, an at t or n ey , an d i t w a s to c o v

e r th e c o s t o f P ri c e f l y i n g to T e x a s to me e t w it h D . L . ’ s b i o l o g i c a l f ath e r to g e t th e a dopti on p a p e r s s i gne d a

n d t h at “ t h e r e w ou l d be ot h e r e x pe n s e s i n v ol v e d t oo.” A t t h i s poi n t B a l o u c h w a s th e o n l y p e rs o n wi th w h o m th e S m i th s h a d d e a lt r e g

a rd i n g th e a d o p ti o n . D r. S m

i th t es ti f i ed t h at “ [ B al ou ch ] pr es en t ed h er s el f as w or ki n g wi t h [ P ri ce] , so s he h

ad do n e al l t h i s ot h er i n f o rm ati o n c o l l e c ti n g f o r h i m , s o w h y w o u l dn ’t I a s s u

m e , ju s t l i k e a n y o n e e l s e w o u l d , th at I
w ou l d be g i v i n g t h e m on e y t o h e r t o g e t t o h i m l at e r .” ¶ 10 . B al

ou ch m i s r epr es en t ed t o t h e Sm i t h s t h at D .L .’ s f

at h er w as i n car cer ated in a T ex as pr i s on an d w as wi l l i n g t o r e l inq ui s h hi

s par en t al ri g h t s . I n f act , D .L .’ s bi

ol og i cal f at h er , w h o w as i n car cer ate d in L eakes v

i l l e, Mi s s i s s i pp i , t es ti f i ed t h at h e di d n ot ev en kn ow B al ou ch an d w as n e v e r c o n ta c te d re g a rd i n g th e a d o p ti o n . In a d d i ti o n , P ri c e te s ti f i e d h e w a s n o t a s s o c i ate d wi th B a l ou c h , a n d t h at B a l ou c h c a l l e d h i m on l y a f t e r s h e h a d m a de s u bs t a n ti a l a r r a n g e m e n t s f or t he adop ti on a nd t o l d t he S m

i t h s t h e adopt i on w ou l d cost $5 ,0 00 . P ri

ce f u r t h er t es ti f i ed t h at h e an d B a l ou c h n e v e r di s c u s s e d a f e e , a n d f u r t h e r m or e , h i s l e g a l f e e f or a n a dopti on i s $750, a

n d h e o n l y h a n d l e s u n c o n te s te d a d o p ti o n s . M o re o v

e r, B a l o u c h to l d th e S m i th s s h e w a s a s s o c i

ate d wi th t h e D ep ar t m en t o f H u m an S er v i ces, a n d t h er e w as t est

i m o n y r ev eal i n g t h i s s t a t e m en

t w as f al se as w el l . ¶1 1 . G i v e n B a lo u c h ’ s o n

g o i n g a n d e x c l u s i v e re l ati o n s h i p w i th th e S m i th s re g a rd i n g th e pot e n ti a l a dopti on , t og e t h e r wi t h h e r s t at e m e n t t o t h e S m i t hs t ha t t

h e a dopti on w ou l d c os t $5,000 de s pi t e t he f a c t t ha t s he w a s n

ot a f f i l i at e d wi t h a n at t or n e y or s oc i a l s e r v i c e s at t h e ti m e , i s s u f f i c i e n t f or a r ati on a l j u r or t o f i n d s he d ir e c tl

y or i n di r e c tl y r e qu e s t e d a t h i n g of v a l u e f or8

pl aci n g ou t D .L . S ee H

oo k e r v . St at e , 71 6 S o. 2d

11 04 , 1 11 0 ( M i

s s . 1 99 8) ( A

j u r y i s al l ow ed t o d r aw al l r eas on abl e i n f er en ces f r om t h e ev i den ce) . F u r t h er , w h en r ev i ew i n g t h e s u f f i ci en cy o f t h e e v i de n c e , t h e St at e i s g i v e n t h e be n e f i t of a l l f av or a bl e i n f e r e n c e s t h at m a y r e a s on a bl e b e dr a w n f r om t h e e v i de n c e . M i l l e r v . St at e , 8 7 5 S o . 2 d 1 9 4 , 1 9 8 (M i s s . 2 0 0 4 ). T

h e re f o re , th e C ou r t of A pp eal s er r ed w h en i t det er m i n ed t h e ev i den ce was i n s u f f i ci en t t o su pp or t t h e v erd i ct b e c a u s e t h e r e w a s n o e v i d e n c e s h e r e c e i v e d c o m p e n s ati o n f o r p l a c i n g o u t D . L. ¶ 12 . T h e C ou r t of A pp eal s al s o h e l d t he ev

i den ce was i n s u f f i ci en t t o sh ow B al ou ch arr an ged t h e pl a c i n g ou t of D .L . B al ou ch v. St a t e, 2005 W L 2358338, *2. Spec i

f i c a l l y , t h e C ou r t of A p p e a l s s tate d “ [a ]l th o u g h B a l o u c h to o k th e c h i l d to v i s i t w it h t h e S mit

h s o n o n e o c c a s i o n , th e r ecord i s cl ear t h at [ D .L .] r em

ai n ed i n h er f oster par en t s ’ h om e at al l ti m es . A s a r e s ul t w e f

ai l t o see h ow B al ou ch ’ s act i on s con s ti t u t ed a ‘ pl aci n g ou t ’ wi t h i n t he m e a ni ng of

t h e s t at u t e” . B al ou ch v. St at e, 2 0 0 5 W L 2 3 5 8 3 3 8 , * 2 . E s s e n

ti a l l y , th e C o u rt o f A p p e a l s h e l d t h a t t o b e g

u i l ty f or t h e pl aci n g ou t o f a c hi l d , t

h e def en dan t h ad t o act u al l y pl ace t h at ch i l d i n an ot h er ’ s h om e. T h i s h ol di n g i s con t r ar y to t h e pl ai n l an g u ag e of t h e s t at u t e. T h e s t at ut o r y d e f

ini t i on s t ates

“ ‘ pl a c i n g ou t ’ m e a n s t o ar r ange f or t h e f r e e c a r e of a c h i l d i n a f am i l y . . . . f or t he p ur p os e of
a d o p ti o n . ” Mi ss . C o d e A

n n . § 4 3 - 1 5 - 2 3 (1 ) (em

p h a si s a d d e d ). ¶ 13 . T h e wor d “ar

r an g e” m ean s “ 1 . [t ]o p l

a c e i n p ro p e r, d e sir e d , o r c o n v e n i e n t o rd e r. 2 . [t ]o co m e t o an ag r eem en t o r u n d er stan d i n g r eg ar d i n g . 3 . [ t ] o p r ep ar e o r

p l an . ” R an d o m H o u se W e b s t e r ’ s C ol

l e g e D i c ti on a r y 75 ( 2000) . T

h i s de f i n i ti on i s pl a i n a n d u n am bi g u ou s . “ W h e r e t he l an g u age us e d b y

t h e l eg i s l at u r e i n a s t at u t e i s pl ai n an d u n am bi g u ou s an d con v er y s [ s i c] a cl ear9

a n d de f i n i t e m e a ning t h e r e i s n o oc c a s i on t o r e s or t t o r u l e s of s t at u t or y i n t e r pr e t ati on .” M i ss. P ow er C o. v. Jo n es , 369 So. 2d 1381, 1388 ( M i s s . 1979) . T

h e r e c o r d i s c l e a r t h

at B a l ou c h m a de pl a n s a n d p r e pa r e d f or D .L .’ s a dopti

on . B a l ou c h m a de t h e i n i ti a l c on t a c t wi t h Sm i t h r e g a rdi n g th e a d o p ti o n . F u rth e r, s h e d i d m o s t o f t h e p l

a n n i n g . D r. S m

i th te s ti f i e d th at B a l o u c h f re qu e n tl y c o m m u n i c atedwi th th e m reg a rd i n g th e a d o p ti o n , i n c l u d i n g g i v i n g th e m i n f o rm ati o n a b o u t D . L . ’s b i r t h p ar en t s. ¶ 1 4 . F u

r th e r qu e s ti o n i n g o f Dr . S m i th r e v e a l e d th e f o l l o wi n g : A . [B a lo u c h

] to l d u s th at sh e w o u l d b e c o m i n g wi th a s o c i a l w o rk e r to th

e o ffic e w it h

th e c h i l d , a n d th at w e w o u

l d b e a b l e t[o ] s e e h

e r an d v i s i t w i th he r t he n.

. . . . Q . Wh

o b r ou g h t [ D .L .] t o t

h e of f i ce? A . [B a l

o u c h ]. F u r t h e r m or e , A u t u m n Sm i t h t e s ti f i e d “ . . . [ B a l

ou c h ] br ou g h t t h e c h i l d by t h e of f i c e . T ha t w a s t h e f i r s t ti m e I m e t h e r” . A u t u m n S m i t h ’ s t e s ti m o n y a l s o r e v e a l e d t h at s h e a n d Ba l o u c h t o o k D . L. t o t h e h o spi t al w h er e D r . S m

i t h w as seei n g p ati en t s: [ B al ou ch ] w as pr ob abl

y t h ere a g oo d 4 5 m

i n u t es at l eas t , b eca us e t he n w e l

oaded [ D . L . ] up a nd t o ok

h er t o B eac h am . S h e pu t t h e ca r s eat i n S an dr a’ s car , o u

r n u r s e, b e c a u se a l l I h a d w a s a tr u c k , a n d [B a l o u c h ] en c o u r a g e d m e to tak e h

e r d o w n th e re b e c a u s e h e c o u ld n ’ t g e t b a c k . W e w e re s u p p o s e d to k e e p h

e r th at n i g h t, b u t th e s o c i a l w o rk e r w a s n ’t a

b l e to c o m e f o r h e r to m e e t u s , s o s h e e n c o u ra g e d m e to t ak e h e r t o B e a c h

am s o D av i d c o u l d m e e t h e r a n d s p e n d t h e a f t e r n o o n wi t h h e r. Sh e h a d t o h av e h e r ba c k by 4: 00 o’ c l oc k. M or eov er , B al ou ch f al s el y cl ai m ed t o w or

k f o r t he D epar

t m en t of H u m an S er v i ces . F i n al l y , per h aps t h e m ost com pel l i n g ev i den ce i s D r . S m

i t h ’ s t e s t i m on y t h at B al ou ch s ai d, i n es s en ce,10

“ i f y ou w a nt m e t o , ev

en t h ou g h i t s i l l eg al , i f y ou j u s t g i v e m e t h e wor d, I ’ l

l g o an d g et t h e ch i l d t h at n i g h t , a n d I ’ l l bri n g h e r ov e r t o y ou r h ou s e t h at n i g h t . . . .” ¶1 5 . In s u m , a re v i e w o f th e tra n s c r ip t c l e a rl y re v e a l s B a l o u c h w a s h e av i l y i n v o l v e d i n th e ar r an g i n g of D .L .’ s adop ti

on by t he S m

i t h s . C on s equ en tl y , a r at i on al j u r or cou l d h av e, an d i n f act d i d d e te rm i n e th at B a l o u c h w a s g u i l ty o f th e p l a c i n g o u t o f D . L . T h e e v i d e n c e i s s u f f i c i e n t to s u ppor t t h e j u r y ’ s g u i l t y v e rdi c t pu r s u a n t t o M i s s . C ode A

n n . § 43- 15- 23. ¶ 16 . T h i s C ou r t m u s t pr es u m e t he w or ds i

n t h e s t at u t e w ere “

i n t en ded t o con

v ey t h ei r u s u al
m e a n i n g a bs e n t s om e indi c ati on t o t h e c on t r a r y .” W al l ac e v . T ow n of R al e i gh , 815 So. 2d 1203, 12 08 ( M i s s . 2 00 2) ( i

n t er n al ci t at i on om i t t e d ) . T he r e i

s n ot h i n g bef or e t h i s C ou r t t o i n di cate t h at t h e l e g i s l at u r e i n t e n d e d a n y t h i n g o t h e r t h a n t h e l i t e r a l m e a n i n g o f t h e w o rd s i

n t h i s s t at

u t e . Th e cou r t s h av e n o r i g h t t o addan

y t h i n g t o o r t a k e a n

y t h i n g f r om a s t at u t e, w h ere t h e l an g u ag e i s p l a i n a n d u n am b i g u o u s . T o d o s o w o u

l d e n c ro a c h u p o n th e p o w e r o f

th e L e g i s l atu re . T h e c o u rts h av e n e i th e r th e a u th o ri ty to w ri te i n to th e s tatu te s o m e th i n g w h i c h th e l e g i s l ato rs d i d n o t w ri te t h e r e i n , n or t o i n g r a f t u pon i t a n y e x c e pti on n ot i n c l u de d by t h e m . I d. ¶ 17. W e h

av e a l s o c on s i de r e d t h e r e m a i n ing i s s u e s r a i s e d by B a l ou c h be f or e t h e C ou r t of A pp e a l s c on

c e r n i n g c l a i m s of e r r or du e t o i m pr ope r j u r y i n s t r u c ti on s , wi t n e s s t e s ti m on y i n v i ol at i on of t h e ph y s i ci a n- p a t i en t pr i v i l eg e, an d specu l at i v e l ay op i n i on t es ti m on y . H av i n g c on s i de r e d t h e s e a ddi ti on a l a s s i g n m e n t s of e r r o r , w e f

i n d t h e m t o be wi

t h ou t m e ri t a n d wi t h ou t ne e d f o r d i s c us s i o n.11 C ON C L U S I ON ¶1 8 . U n d e r th

e p l a i n l a n g u a g e o f M i s s . C o d e A

n n . 4 3 - 1 5 - 2 3 , th

e e v i d e n c e i s s u f f i c i e n t to s u p p o rt th e ju ry ’s d e c i s i o n to f i n d B a l o u c h g u i l ty o f th e p l a c i n g o u t o f a c h i l d . A d d i tio n a l l y , th e o t h er i ssu es B al o u ch r ai sed i n h er b ri ef t o t h e C o u

r t o f A p p eal s ar e wi t h o u t m eri t . We r ev

er se th e ju d g m e n t o f th e C o u rt o f A p p e a l s a n d w e re i n s tate a n d a f f i rm th e tri a l c o u rt’s ju d g m e n t. ¶ 19. T HEJ U

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GR A V E S, J. D I A Z , J U S T I C E , D I S S E N T I N G: ¶2 0 . T h e m a jo ri ty c o n c e d e s th at Ms . B a l

o u c h n e v e r d i re c tl y a s k e d f o r an y t h in g o f v a l

u e f o r th e a d o p ti o n . T h e y h o l d th at sh e s h o u l d b e c o n v i c te d o f a f e l o n y a n d s e n t to p ri s o n f o r “ i n d i re c tl y ”
r equ es ti n g a “ t h i n g of v al u e.” H ow ev er , t h e ev i den ce i n t h i s cas e does n

ot s h ow t h at M s . B al ou ch
e v e n “ i n di r e c tl y ” r e qu e s t e d a n y t h i n g a n d t hus d o e s not

e v e n ri s e t o t h i s a by s m a l l y l ow t h r e s h ol d f or f e l o ny c o nv i

ct i on . T h e ev i den ce i n t h i s cas e rev

eal s t h at at m ost M s . B al ou ch pr ov i ded an i n acc u r ate es ti m ate of t h e cos t of t h e adopt i on . T h e m aj or i t y ’ s i n t er pr etat i on of t h e s t at u t e i n qu est i o n sh o u l d sen d sh i v er s do w n t h e spi n e o f an y o n e i n v o l v ed i n t h e p ri v a t e a d o p ti

o n p r o cess. I t i s a n i n v i t ati on f or a bu s e of t h e c ri m i n a l pr oc e s s a

n d wi l l h av e a c h i l l i n g e f f e c t u pon a dopti on s i n th i s s tate . F u

rth e r, to s e n

d s o m e o n e to p ri s o n o n s u c h s c a n t e v i d e n c e i s a re p re h e n s ib l e12

m i s c a r ri a g e o f ju s ti c e a n d s h o u l d n e v e r b e c o n d o n e d b y th i s C o u r t. By r e i n s ta ti n g th i s v e rd i c t we a re e n c o u rag i n g th e p ro se c u

ti o n o f i n d i v i d u a l s b a se d u p o n n o th i n g m o re th a n so m e o n e ’s i n terp retati o n o f a n o th e r p e rso n ’s w o rd s. F i

n a l l y , i t m u st b e p o i n tedo u t t h at n o o th e r u n d e rl y i n g c ri m e w a s c om

m i t t e d i n t h i s c a s e . M s . B a l

ou c h w a s pr o s e c ut e d , c on

v i c t e d of a f e l on y , a n d i s b e in g s e n

t to p ri s o n s i m p l y b e c a u s e s h e c o n v e y e d h e r th o u g h t a n d u tte re d th e w o rd s th

at th i s a dopti on “ c ou l d c os t u p t o $5,000, don

't qu ot e m e on t h e e x a c t pri c e , bu t i t c ou l d c os t $5,000.” ¶21 . T h er e f o r e , I ag

r ee w i t h t h e C ou r t of A pp eal s t h at t h e St at e f ai l ed t o p r ov

e an es s en

ti al
e l e m e n t o f th e c r ime c h a rg

e d , a n d I re s p e c tf

u l l y d i s s e n t. W h i l e th e C o u rt o f A p p e a l s d i d s ta te t h ere was i

n s u f f i ci en t ev i den ce t h at M s . B al

ou ch rece i v ed c o m p e n s ati o n fo r h e r s e rv

i c e s , th e w ho l e o f t he cou

r t ’ s h ol di n g w as t h at s h e n ev er ev en request ed

c om pe n s ati on . B a lo u c h v

. S ta te , 2006 M i s s . A pp. L E X I S 690, *2- 4. T

h e r e c ord de m

on s t r a t e s t h at t h e St at e of f e r e d t h e t e s ti m on y of t h r ee w i t n es s es as ev

i den ce of M s . B al ou ch ’ s al l eg ed r equ es t f or com pen s at i on , a nd a l l t h r ee den i ed t h at s h e ev er as ked f or m on ey . ¶22 . A n g i e M cK en z i e ( D r . S m

i t h ’ s of f i ce m an ag er ) t es ti f i ed t h at M s . B al

o uc h inf o r m e d her

“ th e [$ 5 , 0 0 0 ] w o u

l d b e fo r J a c k

P ri c e to f l y to T e x a s a n d f o r th e p a p e rw o rk to b e d o n

e f o r th e ch i l d t o b e adopt ed.”

Wh en as ked w h et h er M s . B al ou ch r equ es t ed an y c o m p e nsat i on f or h er s el f , M s . McK en

z i e repl i ed, “ n o. ” S i m i l ar l y , D r . S m i t h t es ti f i ed t h at M s . B al ou c h t o l d hi m

t h at h e an d h i s wi f e “ n eeded t o b e pr epar ed t o p ay $5 ,0 00 f or t h [ e] adop ti

on t o b e abl e to t ake pl

ace .” Wh en h e aske d w h y i t w as su ch a l arg e su m o f m o n ey , Ms. B al o u ch r espo n d ed t h at “ i t w a s g o i

n g t o co st a l ot of m on ey f or J ack Pr i ce t o b e abl e t o f l y t o T ex as ,” an d “ t h ere wou l d b e ot h er ex pen s es i n v o l v e d to o . ”13

¶23. Fu

r t h e r m or e , A u t u m n Sm i t h of f e r e d t h e f ol l owi n g t e s ti m on y on c r os s - e x am i n ati on : Q : A n d y o u a s k e d M s . B a l o u c h w h at w a s i n v o l v e d i n g o i n g p ri v ate , d i d y o u n o t? A : Y e s, si r. Q : A n d w o u l d y o u g i v e m e h er ex act qu o t e, p l ease, t h at ' s i n y o u r n o t es? A : Iasked w

h at w as i n v o l v ed b y g o i n g p ri v at e, an d Vi ck i e t h en sai d , “ i t co u l d co st
u p t o $5,000, don

't qu ot e m e on t h e e x a c t pri c e , bu t i t c ou l d c os t $5,000.” Q : A n d y o u r r espo n se, ac co rd i

n g t o y o u r n o t es? A : Is a i d, ‘ W h oa , Iw a s n 't e x pe c ti n g t h at wi t h t h e f at h e r r e a dy t o s i g n .’ Q : A n d w h at w as h er r es po n s e? A : Vi c k i e sa i d th at we w o u

l d h av e to p a y fo r Ja c k

to f l y to T e x a s to g e t t h e p a p e rs s i gne d . Q : A n d t h e r e w a s n

o ot h e r c on v e r s ati on be t w e e n y o u a n d M s . B a l

ou c h a bou t m o n ey , co r r ect , o t h er t h an w h at y o u j u st t est i f i ed t o o u t o f y o u r n o tes? A : W e t a l ke d m or e i n di s c u s s i on a bou t t h e $5,000. Q : A n d i t w a s f or pa y m e n t t o J a c k f or t h i n gs t h at h e w a s g oi n g t o do? A : Sh e di d n ot s a y t h at i t w a s be i n g g i v e n di r e c tl y t o J a c k. Q : W h at w a s i t g oi n g t o be g i v e n t o? A : S h e s ai d t ha t s he
- Vi

cki e s ai d t h at s h e h el ped h i m ou t as w el l , an d t h at s h e was f i l l i n g ou t n e c e s s a r y pa pe r w or k, bu t s h e di d n ot s a y t h e m on e y w a s g oi n g t o J a c k. Sh e j u s t s a i d i t w a s f or J a c k. Q : S h e di dn ' t r equ es t t h at y ou g i v e h er t h e m on ey , d i d sh e?14

A : ( N o A n s w e r .) Q : Y e s or n o? A : ( N o A n s w e r .) Q : S h e d i d n o t re qu e s t th at y o u g i v e - Vi c k i e d i d n o t re qu e s t th at y o u g i v e h e r th e m on ey , d i d sh e? A : Sh e di d n ot s a y g i v e m e t h e $5,000, n

o. ¶24 . A s t

h e C ou r t o f A pp eal

s h el d, t h e abov e tes ti m on y f ai l s t o d em on s t r ate t h at M s . B al ou ch
r equ es t ed an y com pen s at i on , ei t h er di r ect l y or i n di r ect l y . I n l i g h t of t h e St ate’ s f

ai l u r e t o m eet t h e bu rden of pr oo f as t o t h e s t at u t e’ s com pen s at i on e l em en t , I f i n d i t u n n ece s s ar y t o con s i der th e o th e r i ss u e s. I wo u l d u p h o l d th e d e c i si o n o f th e C o u rt o f A p p e a l s to rev e rse a n d ren d e r. GRA V E S , J . , J O I NS T H I S O P

I NI O N.