Case Name: Christopher Hershell SKAGGS, a/k/a Christopher Hershel Skaggs v. STATE of Mississippi
Court: Mississippi Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Mississippi
Decision Date: 1996-06-13
Citations: 676 So. 2d 897
Docket Number: No. 91-KA-00626-SCT
Parties: Christopher Hershell SKAGGS, a/k/a Christopher Hershel Skaggs v. STATE of Mississippi.
Judges: Before DAN M. LEE, C.J., BANKS and JAMES L. ROBERTS, Jr., JJ.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 676
Pages: 897–905

Head Matter:
Christopher Hershell SKAGGS, a/k/a Christopher Hershel Skaggs v. STATE of Mississippi.
No. 91-KA-00626-SCT.
Supreme Court of Mississippi.
June 13, 1996.
Richard W. Hamilton, Robert A. Pritchard, Pascagoula, for Appellant.
Michael C. Moore, Attorney General, Kenneth C. O’Neal, Sp. Ass’t Attorney General, Jackson, for Appellee.
Before DAN M. LEE, C.J., BANKS and JAMES L. ROBERTS, Jr., JJ.

Opinion:
JAMES L. ROBERTS, Jr., Justice,
for the Court:
I.
INTRODUCTION
Christopher Skaggs was convicted in the Harrison County Circuit Court of forcibly raping a seventy-six year old woman, Mrs. W, and sentenced to thirty years imprisonment. Skaggs appeals, asserting that he was denied his statutory and constitutional rights to a speedy trial, and that the trial court committed reversible error in excluding certain testimony. We find no violation of Skaggs' rights to a speedy trial. However, finding that the trial court erred in excluding the testimony of Denise Skaggs, we reverse and remand for a new trial.
II.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Mrs. W testified at trial that Skaggs, a friend of her stepson, came to her home the night of November 28, 1989, and asked to borrow some money. When Mrs. W said she did not have any money to lend, Skaggs grabbed her, threw her down on the couch, and raped her. After Skaggs left, Mrs. W went to the Gulfport Memorial Hospital with law enforcement officers. An examination of Mrs. W revealed bruises on the upper arms and physical evidence consistent with recent sexual intercourse. Skaggs testified that he had gone to Mrs. W's home that evening and talked to her for thirty minutes before leaving. He denied raping her. The jury convicted Skaggs of rape, but failed to agree on the penalty. The judge sentenced Skaggs to thirty years imprisonment.
While the facts of this case appear to be egregious, and the offense charged is most serious, the record reveals that the prosecu-trix was, apparently, less than enthusiastic about pursuing criminal charges. Suffice it to say that her lack of enthusiasm may be attributed to personal reasons. Even so, the Court is loathe to reverse such a serious charge. Nevertheless, we have no option, due to the discovery violation described hereinafter.
III.
CHRONOLOGY
The chronology of Skaggs' prosecution follows:
EVENT CONSTITUTIONAL STATUTORY DATE NO. OF DAYS NO. OF DAYS
Arrest 12/05/89 0 0
Day after arrest 12/06/89 1 0
Indictment 05/10/90 166 0
Arraignment 07/03/90 220 0
Day after Arraignment 07/04/90 221 1
First trial date 12/03/90 374 153
Order of continuance entered by judge 12/12/90 383 162
Beginning day of next term of court 01/07/91 408 187
Second tidal date 02/04/91 436 215
Third trial date 06/03/91 554 335
On July 3, 1990, the day Skaggs entered his not guilty plea, an order was entered setting trial for December 3,1990. The next document in the record is a motion for production, inspection, and suppression by Skaggs, entered either November 30 or December 3, 1990. This motion included an assertion of the constitutional right to a speedy trial. The record is silent as to what transpired on December 3, 1990, or during the nine days until December 12, 1990, when a continuance was granted on the court's own motion, with the explanation, "Assigned Judge engaged in trial." The section of the form reserved for resetting trial was left blank.
The docket does not reflect a resetting for trial or other action during the next term of court, which began on January 7, 1991, or until May 28, 1991, when Skaggs filed a motion to dismiss on constitutional speedy trial grounds. On June 3, 1991, the judge heard pre-trial argument on this motion. Skaggs' lawyer stated that he and Skaggs had been present in court on December 3, 1990; that both sides had subpoenaed witnesses, and that the case was not heard. He stated that he had not been informed of the December 12,1990 continuance.
Skaggs' lawyer stated that he had been in Biloxi for another case early in the day on February 4, 1991, when he informed the prosecuting attorney in Skaggs' case that he would be delayed. She encouraged him to seek a continuance. He did not, and returned to court in Gulfport later that day, although Skaggs' ease was not heard. The prosecutor agreed that she had suggested to Skaggs' attorney that he request a continuance. She asserted that the court had been occupied with other cases on that day, and that inadvertently, no order was entered on continuing Skaggs' case. She also stated that she had not subpoenaed witnesses for February 4, 1991, because "the docket was quite lengthy."
An employee of the court administrator testified that Skaggs' case had been approximately number 36 on the docket for February 4,1991.
The motion was overruled and Skaggs was tried on June 3-5,1991.
IV.
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO SPEEDY TRIAL
A defendant's right to a speedy trial is guaranteed by the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, as well as Article 3, Section 26 of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890. An alleged violation of the constitutional right to a speedy trial is examined under the four-factor analysis of Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972); Wagner v. State, 624 So.2d 60 (Miss.1993); Adams v. State, 583 So.2d 165 (Miss.1991); Craig v. State, 284 So.2d 57 (Miss.1973) (first application of Barker). The four Barker factors are: 1) length of delay; 2) reason for delay; 3) defendant's assertion of the right to a speedy trial, and 4) prejudice to the defendant by the delay. No single factor is dis-positive. Barker; Wiley v. State, 582 So.2d 1008 (Miss.1991). The weight given each necessarily turns on the facts and circumstances of each case, the quality of evidence available on each factor, and, in the absence of evidence, identification of the party with the risk of nonpersuasion. Stogner v. State, 627 So.2d 815 (Miss.1993); Jaco v. State, 574 So.2d 625, 630 (Miss.1990).
1. Length of Delay
The constitutional right to a speedy trial attaches at the time a person is effectively accused of a crime. Noe v. State, 616 So.2d 298, 300 (Miss.1993); Barker, 407 U.S. 514, 92 S.Ct. 2182. In this case, Skaggs' right attached at his arrest. Presumptive prejudice, triggering inquiry into the remaining Barker factors, arises where there has been a delay of eight months or more before trial. Jenkins v. State, 607 So.2d 1137, 1139 (Miss.1992); Flores v. State, 574 So.2d 1314, 1322 (Miss.1990); Handley v. State, 574 So.2d 671, 676 (Miss.1990). Five hundred fifty-four (554) days elapsed between Skaggs' arrest and trial, prompting further inquiry.
2.Reason for Delay
The state bears the burden of providing the defendant with a speedy trial. Therefore, delays not attributable to the defendant will count against the state, unless the state can show good cause for the delay. Polk v. State, 612 So.2d 381, 386 (Miss.1992); Adams v. State, 583 So.2d at 168 (Miss.1991); Wiley v. State, 582 So.2d 1008, 1012 (Miss.1991); Smith v. State, 550 So.2d 406, 409 (Miss.1989); Bailey v. State, 463 So.2d 1059, 1062 (Miss.1985); Perry v. State, 419 So.2d 194, 199 (Miss.1982).
The state argues that the congested docket of Harrison County constituted good cause for the continuance entered December 12, 1990, and for the subsequent delay in bringing Skaggs to trial. Delays due to a crowded docket do not weigh as heavily against the State as deliberate or purposeful delays. Strunk v. United States, 412 U.S. 434, 93 S.Ct. 2260, 37 L.Ed.2d 56 (1973); Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. at 531, 92 S.Ct. at 2192; Jenkins v. State, 607 So.2d 1137, 1138 (Miss.1992); Ross v. State, 605 So.2d 17, 22 (Miss.1992); Bailey v. State, 463 So.2d 1059 (Miss.1985); Perry v. State 419 So.2d 194, 199 (Miss.1982).
Skaggs' case was reset for trial on February 4,1991. However, as the court employee testified, Skaggs' case was approximately number thirty-six on the docket for that date. Moreover, Skaggs' counsel was not present in the courtroom that morning.
The delay in bringing Skaggs to trial must be counted against the State. Nevertheless, to the extent that we have held a crowded docket to constitute good cause for delay, we find that circumstances were such in this case that the delay should not be counted heavily against the state.
3.Defendant's Assertion of Right
Skaggs asserted his right to a speedy trial by motion before his first trial date, December 3, 1990, and again on May 28, 1991. He was tiled on June 3,1991.
4.Prejudice
Delay may prejudice the defendant in two ways. First, the delay may actually impair the accused's ability to defend himself. Jackson v. State, 614 So.2d 965, 969 (Miss.1993); Polk v. State, 612 So.2d 381, 387 (Miss.1992); Jaco v. State, 574 So.2d 625, 632-633 (Miss.1990). We recognize "the possibility of prejudice inherent in any extended delay: that memories will dim, witnesses become inaccessible, and evidence be lost ." U.S. v. Marion, 404 U.S. 307, 326, 92 S.Ct. 455, 466, 30 L.Ed.2d 468 (1971). Additionally, as stated by the United States Supreme Court addressing the constitutional right to a speedy trial in the unusual case of a eight and a half year delay between the indictment and arrest of a defendant, Doggestt v. United States, 505 U.S. 647, 655-56, 112 S.Ct. 2686, 2693, 120 L.Ed.2d 520 (1992), "excessive delay presumptively compromises the reliability of a trial in ways that neither party can prove or, for that matter, identify. While such presumptive prejudice cannot alone carry a Sixth Amendment claim without regard to the other Barker criteria, see [United States v.] Loud Hawk, [474 U.S. 302] at 315, 106 S.Ct. [648], at 656, [88 L.Ed.2d 640 (1986) ] it is part of the mix of relevant facts, and its importance increases with the length of delay."
Second, the defendant may suffer because of the restraints to his liberty. See Moore v. Arizona, 414 U.S. 25, 26-27, 94 S.Ct. 188, 189-90, 38 L.Ed.2d 183 (1973); Adams v. State, 583 So.2d at 170; Flores v. State, 574 So.2d at 1323; Trotter v. State, 554 So.2d 313, 318 (Miss.1989).
Skaggs has made no showing that the pretrial delay in any way impaired his ability to defend himself. We find neither inaccessible witnesses nor lost evidence. Moreover, Skaggs was not incarcerated pending trial. While Skaggs complains that the expense and anxiety of preparing for trial three times caused prejudice to him, his assertions are both unsubstantiated and insubstantial. In sum, Skaggs has made no showing of prejudice to himself or his defense.
Weighing the Barker factors together, we find no constitutional violation in Skaggs' prosecution. As there was good cause for the delay in bringing Skaggs to trial, and as Skaggs was not prejudiced by the delay, this assignment of error is without merit.
y.
STATUTORY SPEEDY TRIAL: THE 270 DAY RULE
Miss.Code Ann. § 99-17-1 (Supp. 1992) provides:
Unless good cause be shown, and a continuance duly granted by the court, all offenses for which indictments are presented to the court shall be tried no later than two hundred seventy (270) days after the accused has been arraigned.
Skaggs was tried 335 days after arraignment. Where the accused is not tried within 270 days of arraignment, the State bears the burden of establishing good cause for the delay. Polk v. State, 612 So.2d 381, 387 (Miss.1992); Vickery v. State, 535 So.2d 1371, 1375 (Miss.1988); Williamson v. State, 512 So.2d 868, 877 (Miss.1987).
The State argues that the continuance order was a finding of "good cause" covering the 63-day delay between the date of the first trial setting until the second trial setting. The continuance of Skaggs' case was on the trial court's own motion, with the reason for the continuance noted as "Assigned Judge in Trial." Subtracting those 63 days, the delay from arraignment to trial is reduced to 272 days. Using such computation, day 269 after Skaggs' arraignment fell on Friday, May 31, 1991. Under M.R.C.P. 6(a), the state argues, neither Saturday nor Sunday should be counted in the computation of time. Therefore, day 270 fell on Monday, June 3, 1991, which was in fact the day of Skaggs' trial, and no statutory violation occurred.
VI.
DISCOVERY VIOLATION
Skaggs' former wife Denise was called by the defense as a witness. Skaggs' counsel had informed the state prior to trial that Denise would testify that Mrs. W had told her that she would not have pressed charges against Skaggs had he "kissed her and got her ready." However, when Denise took the stand, her testimony was somewhat different:
Q. And you went to speak with her. What did y'all talk about?
A. This incident. She told me this did not happen and that she would drop the charges if I would give her $200.00 to pay for it.
Upon the state's objection, the jury was removed. The state argued that it had not been informed that Denise would so testify, and requested that this testimony be stricken. Asked by the court if he had known what Denise would say, Skaggs' attorney stated:
Your Honor, I'll be honest with you; it wasn't until this morning that this about the $200.00, I became aware of it; out in the hall about ten until this morning, judge.
The judge stated that he viewed this "very seriously as a violation of . discovery." The state declined to move for a mistrial, and was permitted a recess by the court to further interview the witness. After the recess, Skaggs' lawyer volunteered to remove Denise from the stand. The judge permitted Skaggs' attorney to make the following proffer:
(A)fter Mr. Skaggs' arrest, Mrs. Skaggs at that point in time did return (Mrs. Ws) phone call and talk to Mrs. W and go to her house. At that time they spoke about it. At that time Mrs. Skaggs wanted to know why she was pressing charges. Mrs. (W) responded that had he kissed me and got me ready or had he kissed me and got me wet, I would not have pressed these charges; and then after some further conversation, she then told Mrs. Skaggs that this did not happen and that she was willing to drop the charges as long as Mrs. Skaggs would pay the fee at the court, the required fee to drop charges.
The testimony would then show, I believe, your honor, that Mrs. W and Mrs. Skaggs did in fact drive to Justice Court to drop the charges; that upon reaching there it was determined that Mrs. W would have to speak to Judge Foretich in order to drop the charges, and that at this point in time Mrs. W stated that she would not speak to Judge Foretich due to the fact that Judge Foretich signed lunacy papers against her in the past and she feared that he would lock her up.
The judge instructed the jury to disregard Denise's testimony.
Skaggs argues that the judge improperly excluded vital evidence concerning Mrs. Ws credibility. The state argues that the exclusion was the proper response to the defense's "cynical and deliberate scheme of non-diselo-sure and ambush."
In Houston v. State, 531 So.2d 598 (Miss.1988), we discussed the proper procedures for discovery violations under Rule 4.06 of the Uniform Criminal Rules of Circuit Court Practice:
The essence of that procedure is that, where faced with a discovery violation, technical or otherwise, in a criminal proceeding, the Circuit Court should—pre-trial or during trial
(1) Upon objection by a party, give that party a reasonable opportunity to become familiar with the undisclosed evidence by interviewing the witnesses, inspecting the physical evidence, etc.
(2) If, after this opportunity for familiarization, the objecting party believes that it may be prejudiced by lack of opportunity to prepare to meet the evidence, it must request a continuance. Failure to do so constitutes an acquiescence that the trial may commence or proceed and that the discovery rule violator may use the evidence as though there had been no discovery violation.
(3) If the objecting party requests a continuance, the discovery violator may choose to proceed with trial and forego using the undisclosed evidence. If the discovery violator is not willing to proceed without the evidence, the Circuit Court must grant the requested continuance.
Houston v. State, 531 So.2d at 611-12. See also Cole v. State, 525 So.2d 365, 367-68 (Miss.1987); Box v. State, 437 So.2d 19, 23-24 (Miss.1983) (Robertson, J., specially concurring).
We cautioned in Houston against excluding a defendant's evidence at trial:
In this context, the radical sanction of exclusion of a substantial portion of the defendant's evidence' is one that should rarely be used. Generally, it ought to be reserved for cases in which the defendant participates significantly in some deliberate, cynical scheme to gain a substantial tactical advantage. See Taylor v. Illinois, 484 U.S. 400, 414-15, 108 S.Ct. 646, 655-56, 98 L.Ed.2d 798, 814 (1988).
Houston v. State, 531 So.2d at 612; See also Harrison v. State, 635 So.2d 894, 898 (Miss.1994); Holland v. State, 587 So.2d 848, 866-67 (Miss.1991). In Taylor v. Illinois, supra, the United States Supreme Court noted that where a discovery violation is neither willful nor motivated by a desire to obtain a tactical advantage, sanctions less drastic than exclusion of evidence are available:
Prejudice to the prosecution could be minimized by granting a continuance or a mistrial to provide time for further investigation; moreover, further violations can be deterred by disciplinary sanctions against the defendant or defense counsel.
Taylor v. Illinois, 484 U.S. at 413, 108 S.Ct. at 655, 98 L.Ed.2d at 813.
In the case at bar, it does not appear that Skaggs "participate® significantly in some deliberate, cynical scheme to gain a substantial tactical advantage" (see Houston, supra), nor does the defense's conduct appear "willful and motivated by a desire to obtain a tactical advantage." (See Hall v. State, 546 So.2d 673, 676-77 (Miss.1989); Darghty v. State, 530 So.2d 27 (Miss.1988); Taylor, 484 U.S. at 414-17, 108 S.Ct. at 655-57, 98 L.Ed.2d at 814-15). Therefore, a sanction less harsh than exclusion of defense testimony—such as a continuance or mistrial—should have been imposed. We cannot say that exclusion of Denise Skaggs' testimony was harmless error; such evidence re- fleeted on the credibility of Skaggs' accusor. Therefore, reversal is warranted.
VII.
CONCLUSION
We find no violation of Skaggs' constitutional or statutory rights to a speedy trial. However, we find that the judge erred in excluding Denise Skaggs' testimony, where less harsh sanctions were available. Skaggs' conviction is reversed and the case is remanded for retrial.
REVERSED AND REMANDED.
DAN M. LEE, C.J., PRATHER, P.J., and BANKS, SMITH and MILLS, JJ., concur.
SULLIVAN, P.J., concurs in part and dissents in part with separate written opinion joined by McRAE, J.
PITTMAN, J., not participating.
. The name of the victim has been changed to protect her identity.
. The stamped date of November 30 has been written over with the date December 3, 1990.
. The record does not indicate that subpoenas were issued.
. In Hall v. State, we noted that "Darghty states that Taylor limits the exclusion sanction to cases where the defendant's discovery violation was 'willful and motivated by a desire to obtain a tactical advantage.'" Hall, 546 So.2d at 677.