Case Name: Willie D. HARRISON v. STATE of Mississippi
Court: Mississippi Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Mississippi
Decision Date: 1988-11-09
Citations: 534 So. 2d 175
Docket Number: No. 57898
Parties: Willie D. HARRISON v. STATE of Mississippi.
Judges: Before ROY NOBLE LEE, C.J., and SULLIVAN and ANDERSON, JJ.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 534
Pages: 175–189

Head Matter:
Willie D. HARRISON v. STATE of Mississippi.
No. 57898.
Supreme Court of Mississippi.
Nov. 9, 1988.
G. Jyles Eaves, Eaves & Eaves, Richard P. Ballard, McNeel & Ballard, Louisville, for appellant.
Edwin Lloyd Pittman and Mike Moore, Attys. Gen. by DeWitt Allred, Sp. Asst. Atty. Gen., Jackson, for appellee.
Before ROY NOBLE LEE, C.J., and SULLIVAN and ANDERSON, JJ.

Opinion:
SULLIVAN, Justice,
for the court:
Willie D. Harrison and his wife were estranged, and Annie had been staying with Willie D.'s brother, Robert, and Robert's wife, in Louisville. On October 13, 1985, Harrison went to Ray Patty's house because Harrison thought Patty had been seeing Annie Ruth. After convincing Harrison that he was not seeing Annie Ruth, Patty agreed to go with Harrison to Louisville to talk with Annie Ruth.
Some two weeks prior to this occasion Annie Ruth had told Harrison that she was seeing Dennis Herrington and Harrison had confronted Herrington about this.
When Harrison and Patty got to Robert Harrison's home, they found Herrington's car already there. Patty went into the house. Harrison got a knife and went to the Herrington car where he found Annie Ruth with her head in Herrington's lap.
Harrison grabbed Annie Ruth by the hair of the head, pulled her from the car and stabbed her six times. He then scuffled briefly with Herrington. Meanwhile, Patty heard a scream and came out of the Robert Harrison house but saw nothing. Harrison told his brother, Robert, to call the police, then he and Patty drove to Noxapater to the home of Harrison's sister. Harrison told his sister to call the police, and shortly thereafter he was taken into custody by the Winston County Sheriffs Office. Some time during the early morning he gave a statement regarding the killing of his wife.
On July 25, 1986, a Winston County Jury found Willie Harrison. guilty of murder, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Harrison appeals to this Court, assigning five errors:
I. The Court erred in allowing the District Attorney to impeach State witness, Ray Lee Patty, and allowing the State to "cross-examine" said State witness, and further for allowing said witness to testify that he was smaller than the Defendant and was "afraid of him" thereby highly prejudicing the jury, and further by overruling a motion for a mistrial;
II. The Court erred in allowing the State to call police officer Willie Joe Coleman for the purposes of impeaching their own witness, Ray Lee Patty;
III. It was error to introduce an alleged written confession of Appellant as the proof showed that Defendant could neither read nor write and did not understand the contents of the written statement taken by police officers immediately after his arrest;
IY. The State's proof was insufficient for a conviction of murder, especially since the State failed to call the only eye witness, "Moon" Herrington, as a witness, and the Court should have instructed the jury that they could find the Defendant guilty of no greater crime than manslaughter; and
V. The Court erred in refusing to grant a mistrial when one of the jurors left the Jury room during deliberations and came into the Judge's chamber and requested to be relieved from the Jury.
I.
THE COURT ERRED IN ALLOWING THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO IM-. PEACH STATE WITNESS, RAY LEE PATTY, AND ALLOWING THE STATE TO "CROSS-EXAMINE" SAID STATE WITNESS, AND FURTHER FOR ALLOWING SAID WITNESS TO TESTIFY THAT HE WAS SMALLER THAN THE DEFENDANT AND WAS "AFRAID OF HIM" THEREBY HIGHLY PREJUDICING THE JURY, AND FURTHER BY OVER-RULING A MOTION FOR A MISTRIAL.
Harrison's first assignment of error is predicated upon a series of exchanges between Assistant District Attorney Lacy and the witness Ray Lee Patty.
Q. Do you recall making a statement to Officer Willie Joe Coleman on the 14th of October, 1985?
BY MR. EAVES:
We object, Your Honor. This is his witness. He can't impeach his own witness.
BY MR. LACY:
Your Honor, I'm entitled to impeach my own witness on a lapse of memory if it becomes necessary. That's clear under the rules.
BY THE COURT:
Under the new rules, I think you're right.
BY MR. LACY:
Q. Now, do you recall talking to Officer Coleman on the 14th, which is the day after the 18th, the day Annie Ruth was killed, do you recall talking to him?
A. Well, like I said, my memory is— yes, I remember talking to him.
BY MR. LACY:
Q. All right. Do you remember telling the officer, "He was going to his sister's townhouse. On the way he kept telling me he had messed them up." Do you remember making that statement?
A. No, I don't. I don't remember telling anyone that.
Q. In the statement that you gave you do not remember making that statement at that time?
A. No. I said, — no—do you mind repeating that again?
Q. "He was going to his sister's townhouse. On the way he kept telling me he had messed them up." Isn't that the statement that you made to Officer Coleman when you were interviewed?
A. No, I never told him he kept saying he messed them up. I never gave him that statement.
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Q. When you gave the statement to the officer on the 14th of October, did you testify you remembered giving — did you tell the officer, "He showed me a Dutch knife with blood on it"?
A. Like, I told you, I can't remember giving him that statement there.
# # # #
Q. Do you remember making the statement to the officer when you gave the statement on the 14th of October, 1985, "He continued to do it and say, 'This is what I did with it' as he slung it back and forth." Do you remember making that statement?
A. No, I don't. I don't recall giving that statement.
#
Q. When you gave your statement to Officer Coleman on the 14th of October, didn't you tell the officer, "I looked back when I heard Annie Ruth Harrison hollering." Didn't you tell the officer that?
A. I didn't say who I heard hollering. I said I heard a scream, and I said I was on the inside and I looked around but I was going down the hall.
Q. And didn't you say, "But I did not see Annie Ruth."
A. That's true. I did not see her.
Q. But you told the officer, "I heard Annie Ruth hollering." Isn't that what you told him?
A. Now, you're putting words in my mouth. Now, I said I heard her scream. I didn't mention no name.
#
Q. And you have testified, I believe, that the Defendant told his brother and his wife to call the cops, that he'd caught them red-handed and that he'd messed them up. Isn't that what you just—
BY MR. EAVES:
Your Honor, I object to leading.
BY THE COURT:
Ask him if he made that statement.
BY MR. LACY:
Q. Did you make that statement?
A. I didn't say he had messed them up — do you mind repeating that question?
Q. Didn't you make the statement that the Defendant told his brother and his wife to call the cops, "Fve caught them red-handed, I have messed them up." Isn't that what you told the officer? Isn't that what you've testified to?
A. All except messed them up. I can't remember — I can't recall saying messed them up. He said he caught them.
The defendant characterizes these exchanges as improper impeachment because the witness was not declared hostile, and a proper predicate was not laid.
First, this case was tried after the adoption of the Mississippi Rules of Evidence. Under 607, "the credibility of a witness may be attacked by any party, including the party calling him." The voucher rule, upon which the defendant mistakenly relies, has been repudiated. See, Comment M.R.E. 607. Second, it is clear that a proper predicate for impeachment was laid. See Carlisle v. State, 348 So.2d 765, 766 (Miss.1977). Third, prior inconsistent statements may be used to impeach a witness even though the statements tend directly to inculpate the defendant. U.S. v. Hogan, 763 F.2d 697, 702 (5th Cir.1985). Fourth, Patty's testimony at trial reveals the necessary inconsistency. West, Handbook on Federal Evidence, Section 613.2 (2nd Ed.1986).
However, a prosecutor may not use prior statements of a witness "under the guise of impeachment for the primary purpose of placing before the jury substantive evidence which is not otherwise admissible." U.S. v. Livingston, 816 F.2d 184, 192 (5th Cir.1987); U.S. v. Miller, 664 F.2d 94, 97 (5th Cir.1981), cert. denied 459 U.S. 854, 103 S.Ct. 121, 74 L.Ed.2d 106 (1982); (emphasis in original). Such a scheme serves as a device to avoid the hearsay rule. Hogan, 763 F.2d at 702. However, in this case it is not argued, and it is not plain from the record, that the prosecutor was invoking the permission of Rule 607 merely as a subterfuge to place incriminating hearsay before the jury. See Miss.S.CtR. 6(b); M.R.E. 103(d).
The prior statements of Ray Patty were offered, not to prove the truth of the matter asserted, but as circumstantial evidence from which the jury could infer that the trial testimony of Ray Patty was unreliable. Therefore, they were not hearsay.
It would have been proper for the court sua sponte to instruct the jury to consider these prior statements as impeachment evidence only, but the failure to do so is harmless error. Miss.S.CtR. II. First, the jury's ability to obey such an instruction is questionable. Second, there was ample evidence, notwithstanding the prior statements, from which the jury could find the defendant guilty of murder. Third, the prior statements were disclosed in open court to Ray Patty and counsel opposite. M.R.E. 613(a). Fourth, Ray Patty was on the witness stand and available for interrogation by counsel opposite concerning the inconsistencies in his testimony.
Also, it was proper impeachment to elicit from the witness, Ray Patty, that he was afraid of the defendant. This is legitimate impeachment evidence going to the "untrustworthy partiality" of the witness. West, Handbook of Federal Evidence, Section 607.7 at page 432 (2nd Ed. 1986). The point of this inquiry is to expose to the jury the witness' special motive to slant, unconsciously or otherwise, his testimony. U.S. v. Abel, 469 U.S. 45, 52, 105 S.Ct. 465, 469, 83 L.Ed.2d 450, 451 (1984) (bias may be induced by fear, and bias is almost always relevant); Davis v. Alaska, 415 U.S. 308, 316-17, 94 S.Ct. 1105, 1110, 39 L.Ed.2d 347, 354 (1974) ("the exposure of a witness' motivation in testifying is a proper and important function of the constitutionally protected right of cross-examination."); see also, 3 Weinstein's Evidence, paragraph 607[03] at page 607-27, 39 (1987) (bias, due to fear, is clearly a basis for impeachment); Cantrell v. State, 507 So.2d 325, 330 (Miss.1987) (bias' is always material).
There is no merit to this assignment of error.
II.
THE COURT ERRED IN ALLOWING THE STATE TO CALL POLICE OFFICER WILLIE JOE COLEMAN FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPEACHING ITS OWN WITNESS, RAY LEE PATTY.
We repeat that the voucher rule is no longer in effect in this State. Also, this was proper impeachment.
A proper predicate for impeachment had been laid. Carlisle, supra. Impeachment can be accomplished through the introduction of extrinsic evidence. M.R.E. 613(b); Hubbard v. State, 437 So.2d 430, 434-35 (Miss.1983). Third, M.R.E. 613(b) was complied with in that the witness Ray Patty was given an opportunity to explain or deny his statements, and Patty was available for interrogation by opposing counsel. Officer Coleman was likewise available for interrogation by counsel for the defendant.
The prior statements of Ray Lee Patty to Officer Coleman were inconsistent with his testimony at trial. On direct and re-direct, Patty denied telling Officer Coleman that he "heard Annie Ruth hollering," or that the defendant kept saying he "had messed them up." It was proper, therefore, to elicit from Officer Coleman that Patty had previously made these statements. It is clear without reference to authority that a flat denial by a witness constitutes an inconsistency subject to impeachment.
As to the third statement, Patty testified on direct that he had no memory of telling Officer Coleman that the defendant showed him "a Dutch knife with blood on it." This differs from the previous two statements because it involves a faulty memory and not a flat denial. Nonetheless, Officer Coleman was allowed to testify that Patty told him on a prior occasion that Harrison showed him (Patty) a knife with blood on it. Patty clearly remembered seeing the knife, but he did not remember seeing blood on it, or giving Officer Coleman a statement to that effect.
The Federal Courts are not in agreement on whether a mere lack of memory can be impeached. U.S. v. Grubbs, 776 F.2d 1281, 1287 (5th Cir.1985). It appears that the Second and Eighth Circuits leave the question of whether a lack of memory is an inconsistency to the judge's discretion. Id. The Fifth Circuit, however, has held "that a claim of faulty memory does not constitute an inconsistent statement." Id.
But in Mississippi, prior to the enactment of the rules, our Supreme Court has held that where a witness claims not to recall making a statement, the witness' lack of recognition is essentially a denial. In Magness v. State, 106 Miss. 195, 63 So. 352 (1913), a witness stated that he did not remember making a certain statement before the grand jury. 106 Miss, at 197, 63 So. 352. The State, in rebuttal, was allowed to introduce evidence that he did in fact make the statement being asked about. Id. This Court stated that when a witness is given an opportunity to admit or deny the making of a statement, as he must be, his refusal to admit or deny making the statement opens the door for impeachment. 106 Miss, at 198, 63 So. 352.
If we accept that unwilling witnesses may take refuge in a failure to remember, then the Mississippi approach seems to be most in accord with the broad relevancy rule stated in Rule 401 and the wide discretion granted to the trial judge in Rule 403.
Under the Mississippi Rules of Evidence, this approach is most consistent with the rules of relevancy, and with the "development of the law of evidence to the end that the truth may be ascertained and proceedings justly determined." M.R.E. 102. When a witness fails in any manner to acknowledge the making of a statement, the impeacher is obligated to offer proof establishing the making of that statement, assuming, of course, that the issue is relevant. The trier of fact must have a valid means to decide whether the witness' claimed lack of recollection is anything more than a "refuge." By being apprised of this prior statement, the trier has such a means.
There is no merit to this assignment of error.
III.
IT WAS ERROR TO INTRODUCE AN ALLEGED WRITTEN CONFESSION OF APPELLANT AS THE PROOF SHOWED THAT DEFENDANT COULD NEITHER READ NOR WRITE AND DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE CONTENTS OF THE WRITTEN STATEMENT TAKEN BY POLICE OFFICERS IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS ARREST.
Here Harrison argues that his limited education, his trauma from the crime, and the time and place of the interrogation prevented him from making a voluntary confession based on a knowing and intelligent waiver of his constitutional rights. The record is, however, to the contrary.
At the separate suppression hearing required under Agee v. State, 185 So.2d 671, 673 (Miss.1966), and White v. State, 495 So.2d 1346, 1347 (Miss.1986), the State established a prima facie case with the testimony of Officer Greg Clark that Willie D. Harrison was given his Miranda warnings. Clark testified that he read Harrison his rights carefully. He further explained to Harrison what they wanted to question him about. Clark then took Harrison's statement down on paper as the defendant recited it to him. Finally, Clark read this statement back to the defendant, word for word, whereupon Harrison acknowledged its accuracy and signed it.
Harrison testified on his own behalf that he had only a third grade education, and could neither read nor write very well. Harrison did admit, however, that he passed a written test to get his driver's license, and that he had recently made arrangements to buy a new home. Harrison also testified that no promises or threats were made to induce him into confession.
At the conclusion of the suppression hearing, the trial judge made the following ruling:
BY THE COURT:
The Court is going to find that I've seldom had a suppression hearing where the proof was more convincing and beyond a reasonable doubt that the confession was voluntarily and intelligently and knowingly given, and I find that as a finding of fact and as a conclusion.
Where the defendant claims to have lacked the mental capacity to understand the warning, the determination of the trial judge, who has seen the defendant on the stand, must necessarily be given great weight. Lee v. State, 338 So.2d 399, 401 (Miss.1976).
The trial court found the confession of Harrison admissible, and this finding "becomes a finding of fact which will not be reversed on appeal unless it is manifestly in error or contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence." White, supra, quoting Cabello v. State, 490 So.2d 852, 856 (Miss.1986).
The record shows only that Harrison was uneducated; it does not reveal any lack or impairment of understanding. There is no merit to this assignment of error.
IV.
THE STATE'S PROOF WAS INSUFFICIENT FOR A CONVICTION OF MURDER, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE STATE FAILED TO CALL THE ONLY EYEWITNESS, "MOON" HERRING-TON, AS A WITNESS, AND THE COURT SHOULD HAVE INSTRUCTED THE JURY THAT THEY COULD FIND THE DEFENDANT GUILTY OF NO GREATER CRIME THAN MANSLAUGHTER.
It appears that at the close of the State's case, the defendant moved very generally for a directed verdict. When that motion was overruled, the defendant then proceeded to put on his case, waiving his previous motion. Ruffin v. State, 481 So.2d 312, 316 (Miss.1985).
Harrison argues on appeal that the State's proof failed to support the theory of murder, especially since the State failed to call Herrington, the only eyewitness other than the defendant. Neither Harrison's directed verdict motion, nor his motion for new trial mentioned the State's failure to call Herrington.
The défendant is procedurally barred from raising this issue for the first time on appeal. Crenshaw v. State, 520 So.2d 131, 134-35 (Miss.1988); Warren v. State, 456 So.2d 735, 738 (Miss.1984).
In the interest of justice, however, the merits of this claim will be considered, along with the other issues raised by this assignment of error.
FAILURE TO CALL "MOON" HERRINGTON
As authority for Harrison's claim that the State's failure to call Herrington fatally flaws the conviction, the defendant cites the ancient rule of the common law requiring the prosecution, in criminal cases, to introduce all the eyewitnesses to the crime.
There is some doubt that this rule was ever anything more than a matter of custom between the English Bench and Bar. In fact, this custom apparently developed as an offshoot from the practice of calling all witnesses whose names were endorsed upon the indictment. Notwithstanding, the notion of such a rule became firmly established only in Michigan, while elsewhere it has been either modified or repudiated altogether. 7 Wigmore, Evidence, Section 2079 (Chadburn Rev.1978).
In Mississippi, the rule has received general recognition, but with some modification. An issue was presented to the Mississippi Supreme Court in Morrow v. State, 57 Miss. 836 (1880). The Morrow court viewed the English rule, as adopted by the Michigan Supreme Court, as a rule making it impermissible for the prosecution to "present an isolated part of the res gestae without a full development of all that occurred," and not "a declaration that it must examine all the witnesses who were present at the transaction." Id. at 838. While refusing to repudiate the rule entirely, the court in Morrow placed the enforcement of the rule in the sound discretion of the trial court. In the court's words:
If the prosecuting officer should content himself with proving the bare fact of killing by one who had witnessed that act only, resting his case upon the legal presumption of guilt thereby implied, and if it was made evident by the testimony produced that there were other witnesses present who saw the whole transaction, it would, we think, be always within the sound discretion of the court to compel their production by the State, if in attendance or easily attainable.
Whether a refusal to exercise such discretion could ever be ground of reversal, we will not decide, except to say that it could only be so where it was made to appear that actual injustice had been done to and injury sustained by the accused, as where he had been compelled by such imperfect presentation of the facts, and by the legal presumptions thereby raised, to produce as his own a witness with strong bias against him, whose testimony militated against the general theory of his defence. When such a case is presented, we shall be in a better situation definitely to settle the point. No such case is before us.
57 Miss, at 838-839.
The rule of Morrow, adopted with modification from the common law custom, has been subsequently followed in Mississippi. See Hale v. State, 72 Miss. 140, 144, 16 So. 387, 388 (1894); Carlisle v. State, 73 Miss. 387, 395, 19 So. 207, 208 (1896); Patty v. State, 126 Miss. 94, 98, 88 So. 498 (1921), Mitchell v. State, 171 Miss. 4, 6-7, 156 So. 654, 654-55 (1934), Ross v. State, 185 Miss. 438, 188 So. 295 (1939), Sullivan v. State, 213 Miss. 14, 27, 56 So.2d 93, 100 (1952), and Phillips v. State, 183 So.2d 908, 911-12 (Miss.1966).
The upshot of these cases is that the State is required to put some, but not all, of the eyewitnesses to a crime on the stand. If the State is always required to put on some eyewitnesses, then a fortiori, when there is only one eyewitness, the State must introduce that eyewitness. We must question whether the trial court has any discretion when requested by the defendant to compel the introduction of a sole eyewitness. The broader question we must ask, however, is whether such a rule is justified in modern day criminal practice.
When we examine the reason for the rule, it has no justification in modern day criminal practice. According to Wigmore, the singular argument in favor of this so called rule "is that the burden and risk of calling a hostile witness . should fall upon the prosecution rather than upon the accused." 7 Wigmore, Evidence, Section 2080 at page 542 (Chadburn Rev.1978).
Clearly, the purpose behind the rule requiring the State to introduce at least some eyewitnesses is the voucher rule.
However, the voucher rule is no longer the rule in Mississippi. It is clear, therefore, that the singular purpose behind the "ancient common law rule" being argued by Harrison has been stripped away. A defendant can no longer claim any restrictions on calling witnesses as his own. Consequently, we are left with a rule which, once stripped of its purpose, serves no purpose at all.
In addition, the defendant's access to and use of the witness in this case was guaranteed by the compulsory process clauses of the Federal and State Constitutions. U.S. Constitution Amendment VI; Mississippi Constitution, Article III, Section 26; Gray v. State, 472 So.2d 409 (Miss.1985), reversed on other grounds, 481 U.S. 648, 107 S.Ct. 2045, 95 L.Ed.2d 622; Washington v. Texas, 388 U.S. 14, 87 S.Ct. 1920, 18 L.Ed.2d 1019 (1967). Furthermore, the Sixth Amendment right of confrontation "does not impose upon the government the duty to call a particular witness," or to call all witnesses who are competent to testify. U.S. v. Bryant, 461 F.2d 912, 916 (6th Cir.1972); U.S. v. Polisi, 416 F.2d 573, 579 (2nd Cir.1969) (the Sixth Amendment safeguards the right of cross-examination, but it does not require the calling of any particular witness); Clingan v. U.S., 400 F.2d 849, 851 (5th Cir.1968).
Harrison could have called Herrington to testify. His right of confrontation under the Sixth Amendment was satisfied by the available opportunity to examine the witness. The right of confrontation gives the prosecutor discretion in putting on his case, and does not require that all witnesses to a crime be called by the prosecution. U.S. v. Heck, 499 F.2d 778, 789 (9th Cir.1974); U.S. v. Harper, 460 F.2d 705, 706 (5th Cir.1972). Admittedly there are cases where the prosecution, as a matter of due process, will be required to call a witness who the State believes will offer exculpatory testimony. U.S. v. Bryant, supra; Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215 (1963). These cases, however, can be decided by reference to the constitutional guarantee of due process without resort to any common law rule requiring the prosecution to call certain witnesses. The principle does not apply in this case because Harrison admits that the witness, Herring-ton, was not favorable to the defense. Similarly, there is no hint that this case presents "unusual circumstances" involving the prosecutor's attempt to knowingly conceal exculpatory evidence. See U.S. v. Bryant, supra.
Harrison had equal access to the witness, Herrington, and he would not have been limited in his examination of Herrington by the voucher rule. Therefore, to the extent that the Mississippi cases heretofore cited endorse, in any fashion, a rule requiring the prosecution in criminal cases to introduce certain witnesses, those same cases are hereby overruled. The fundamental, constitutional guarantees of an accused in a criminal case provide an adequate benchmark by which issues such as this can be decided. There is no longer a need, if ever there was one, for this so called "ancient rule of common law."
The primary claim disposed of, the only question remaining is whether the evidence is sufficient to support the jury's verdict. The jury was instructed on murder as well as manslaughter and returned a verdict of murder. Harrison argues, that because of insufficient proof as to malice, the evidence could support nothing more than a verdict of manslaughter.
Malice aforethought is the single most important element of murder, and serves to distinguish murder from manslaughter. Taylor v. State, 452 So.2d 441, 443 (Miss.1984); Patterson v. State, 289 So.2d 685, 687 (Miss.1974). Malice may be established expressly or impliedly from the evidence. Motley v. Smith, 172 Miss. 148, 152, 159 So. 553, 554 (1935).
The homicide in this case is undisputed. The defendant's voluntary confession admitting the killing was received into evidence. Furthermore, there is ample evidence to support the jury's finding of malice, and ultimately murder.
When the evidence, together with all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom, is viewed in the light most favorable to the State, it is clear that there is sufficient support for the verdict, and the defendant's request for a peremptory instruction was properly denied. Ruffin v. State, 481 So.2d 312, 316 (Miss.1985). Similarly, defendant's motion for new trial was properly overruled, there being no "unconscionable injustice" resulting therefrom. Id. at 317.
There is no merit to this assignment of error.
V.
THE COURT ERRED IN REFUSING TO GRANT A MISTRIAL WHEN ONE OF THE JURORS LEFT THE JURY ROOM DURING DELIBERATIONS AND CAME INTO THE JUDGE'S CHAMBER AND REQUESTED TO BE RELIEVED FROM THE JURY.
The jury retired to consider the outcome of this case at approximately 5:50 p.m. At approximately 6:22 p.m., Juror Hathorn left the deliberations and asked the trial judge to be excused. Juror Hat-horn was in the custody of the bailiff at all times. The judge informed her that she could not be disqualified, whereupon she returned to the deliberations. At approximately 6:30 p.m., the jury returned with a verdict of murder. A poll of the jury revealed the verdict to be unanimous.
From this scenario, Harrison argues that a compromise verdict was reached, necessitating a reversal. Harrison relies on Fairley v. State, 467 So.2d 894 (Miss.1985), cert. denied, 474 U.S. 855, 106 S.Ct. 160, 88 L.Ed.2d 133 (1985), wherein a juror asked to be excused because the jury was not going to reach the verdict he supported. 467 So.2d at 900. That particular juror wanted to find the defendant guilty of capital murder but the remaining jurors were leaning toward murder. The judge replied that he could not excuse the juror for that reason. After further deliberations, a murder verdict was returned. We affirmed, holding that no prejudice to the defendant was shown, even though the juror compromised in favor of a lesser verdict.
In this case, Juror Hathorn gave no reason for her request, and Harrison can only speculate that she compromised her independence when she returned to the jury room. There is simply no evidence to suggest that Juror Hathorn did not support the verdict reached in the case. There is not even a scintilla of evidence in the record to suggest that the judge's response to Juror Hathorn prejudiced the defense.
Under ordinary circumstances, the judge and jury should engage in as little dialogue as possible. Martin v. State, 415 So.2d 706, 708 (Miss.1982). But unlike Martin, the judge's response in this case did not amount to an oral instruction, and did not raise the presumption of impurity that can result from excessive verbal exchanges between a judge and juror.
Given the infinite possibilities of error which can occur in a finite trial, something more than the hyperbolic assumptions offered by Harrison must be shown before a verdict will be discarded on this ground. Therefore, this assignment of error is also without merit.
CONVICTION OF MURDER AND SENTENCE OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT ARE HEREBY AFFIRMED.
ROY NOBLE LEE, C.J., DAN M. LEE, P.J., and PRATHER, ROBERTSON, ANDERSON, GRIFFIN and ZUCCARO, JJ., concur.
HAWKINS, P.J., specially concurs.
. Miss.S.Ct.R. 11 repealed by new Mississippi Supreme Court Rules, effective January 1, 1988.
. This rule is stated in Hogan v. State, 516 So.2d 474, 482 (Miss.1987), but it is merely obiter dicta in that case. Therefore the elimination of this rule has no effect on the decision in Hogan except that the rule no longer serves as a valid illustration of the principles enunciated therein.