Case Name: John Reed SAUCIER v. STATE of Mississippi
Court: Mississippi Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Mississippi
Decision Date: 1990-04-25
Citations: 562 So. 2d 1238
Docket Number: No. 07-KA-58705
Parties: John Reed SAUCIER v. STATE of Mississippi.
Judges: ROY NOBLE LEE, C.J., HAWKINS, P.J., and ANDERSON and BLASS, JJ., concur.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 562
Pages: 1238–1252

Head Matter:
John Reed SAUCIER v. STATE of Mississippi.
No. 07-KA-58705.
Supreme Court of Mississippi.
April 25, 1990.
Herman F. Cox, Jimmy D. McGuire, McGuire & Cox, Gulfport, for appellant.
Edwin Lloyd Pittman, Atty. Gen., Mike C. Moore, Atty. Gen., Jackson, Jack B. Lacy, Jr., Sp. Asst. Atty. Gen., Jackson, for appellee.

Opinion:
DAN M. LEE, Presiding Justice,
for the Court:
I.
Today's appellant tenders serious questions regarding the right to counsel and the circumstances under which an accused's actions may constitute a waiver of that right. During initial custodial interrogation the accused admitted involvement in an armed robbery. The record reflects that he was repeatedly advised of his right to counsel while being interrogated and that he effectively waived same. The answers he gave were therefore admissible as evidence against him. We have reviewed all of the evidence in the record and find that the judgment of the Circuit Court should be affirmed.
II.
A.
The victim in this case, Linda Laferreire, drives a taxi. In the early morning hours of June 29, 1986, she was sitting in her taxi parked outside a storefront on U.S. Highway 90 in Biloxi, Mississippi. Approximately 2:00 a.m., a man, later identified as Saucier, accompanied by a woman, approached the taxi and asked Laferreire for a ride to Point Aux Chenes Road outside the city limits of Ocean Springs, Mississippi in Jackson County, fifteen miles from their location. Laferreire agreed. Saucier entered the taxi, seating himself behind Laf-erreire, the woman seating herself next to him on the backseat. Approximately thirty to forty minutes later they reached their destination.
Following directions from her passengers, Laferreire pulled the cab into the driveway of an abandoned house located in a dimly lit location at the end of the dead end street. Saucier then leaned forward and placed what felt and appeared to be a gun to the back of Laferriere's head and demanded money. The woman got out of the taxi and stood to its left. Saucier then leaned over the seat and picked up a pouch that contained between twenty and thirty dollars. He then told Laferriere to lie down on the seat, whereupon he reached ^over, ripped the microphone from her dispatch radio, pulled the keys from the ignition and threw them into the surrounding brush. Saucier then exited the taxi.
Laferriere sat up and saw a car approach from behind. She watched as Saucier turned, said good-bye, then proceeded into the car with his female companion and drove away. Laferriere then went to a home in the neighborhood and called for help. Officer Patricia Cooley of the Sheriffs department arrived at the scene between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m.
On July 27, 1986, almost one month after the robbery, the mother of a minor contacted the Ocean Springs Police Department concerning her son's participation in an armed robbery with John Reed Saucier. Det. Louis G. Miller of the Ocean Springs Police Department spoke with the minor about the armed robbery, determined that it had occurred in Jackson County, outside his jurisdiction, and contacted Officer Charles B. Polifrone of the Sheriffs Department. Miller then contacted Laferriere and had her meet him at the Ocean Springs Police Department.
Laferriere and Miller met Polifrone at the home of Justice Court Judge Raymond Beaugez that same evening, July 27, 1986. Laferriere filled out an affidavit and the officers obtained a search warrant for Saucier's arrest. Immediately thereafter, Miller, Polifrone and several other officers proceeded to Saucier's home.
Saucier was present when the officers arrived with the warrant. The officers, one of whom had prior dealings with Saucier, read him his Miranda rights, which included his right "to have an attorney present during any questioning and/or interrogation]," and requested Saucier's consent to search the home for weapons. Responding that they would find no weapons in the house, Saucier signed a consent form for a search of his home.
Following the search of his home, Saucier was transferred to the Ocean Springs Police Department where he was, for the second time, advised of his Miranda rights. Saucier refused to sign a waiver of his rights, even though he signed an acknowledgment that he had been informed of his rights and understood them. He was then asked where the weapons were, to which he responded, "I hid them." Thereafter, Saucier talked with the officers regarding the armed robbery and, in his own words, "I did, in a way, admit to doing the armed robberies, but not exactly. I talked sort of in circles." Before being transferred to Pascagoula, Saucier told one of the officers where the weapons could be found.
While incarcerated in Pascagoula on July 28, 1986, Saucier met with his parole officer, Becky Fulton, regarding revocation of his parole based on the armed robbery charges. Before discussions were had, Ms. Fulton read Saucier the Miranda warnings; they then discussed the revocation hearing. Saucier was adamant about his wishes: he wanted to invoke his right to waive the hearing. Fulton checked with her supervisor and, because of the seriousness of the situation, refused to allow Saucier to waive the hearing. A revocation hearing was, in fact, held.
The following morning, July 29, 1986, Saucier was approached by two (2) law enforcement officers. For the fourth time Saucier was read the Miranda warnings; this time he signed an acknowledgment that he had been informed of his rights and understood them, as well as a separate waiver of those rights, attached at the bottom of the rights form. Specifically, the waiver stated "I, [signed by John R. Saucier], have been informed of my right to remain silent and the right to have any attorney present.... I fully understand those rights. I wish to waive those rights and agree to answer questions and/or make a statement. I do this voluntarily." See p. 1243, infra. He was asked if he was going to make a statement, to which he replied, "Yes, I am." Saucier then proceeded to give a full confession which was tape recorded and later transcribed. The admission of this confession into evidence is the subject of the first assignment of error.
B.
On October 20, 1986, the Grand Jury of Jackson County returned an indictment formally charging John Reed Saucier, together with Elizabeth Jane Miles and the minor, with armed robbery. Miss.Code Ann. § 97-3-79 (Supp.1989). The charges against Saucier were severed for trial.
The taped confession was the subject of a Motion to Suppress by Saucier. Following a suppression hearing, the trial court found the statement admissible as having been given freely, voluntarily and knowingly-
Saucier stood trial on April 18, 1987, and was found guilty as charged. The jury was unable to agree on the matter of punishment whereupon the Circuit Court sentenced Saucier, then thirty-one years old, to a term of twenty-five years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
This appeal has followed.
III.
A.
Saucier made three incriminating statements in the first day and a half following his arrest — each without the benefit 'of counsel. On the morning of Monday, July 28,1986, Saucier told where the gun(s) were and .admitted involvement, though principally blaming the minor participant. Later that day Saucier met with a parole officer and again made incriminating admissions. On Tuesday morning, July 29, 1986, Saucier gave a full tape-recorded confession which was later transcribed. On appeal, Saucier charges error in the Circuit Court's overruling his objection to each.
The facts are crucial. Between 1:45 and 2:00 a.m. on July 28, 1986, a number of law enforcement officers proceeded to Saucier's residence to execute a warrant for his arrest. Capt. Paul Herrington of the Jackson County Sheriff's Department served Saucier with the warrant and read him what are commonly known as the Miranda rights. Det. Miller then spoke with Saucier and obtained his consent to search the house.
The officers then transported Saucier to the Ocean Springs Police Department. Det. Charles B. Polifrone read Saucier his rights once again and Saucier signed a form at 3:14 a.m. acknowledging that he had been informed of his rights and understood them. Det. Polifrone then asked Saucier to sign a waiver of his rights. Saucier refused. The waiver form is marked "Refused — CBP" and is dated July 28, 1986, at 3:15 a.m. Det. Miller then asked about weapons and Saucier responded "I hid them." Det. Miller, aware that "them" "was supposed to be a handgun and a shotgun," told Saucier that if the guns were found by someone "a kid or whatever and discharged . some kids picked it up and shot one another or shot themselves with it . it could look bad on him." Saucier said nothing. On this factual point, the record indicates that Det. Polifrone came back into the interrogation room where Saucier stated at the suppression hearing that he "talked in circles" concerning his involvement in the robbery.
Shortly thereafter, as officers were about to transport Saucier-to Pascagoula, he said to Miller "I need to talk to you." Saucier and Miller stepped into a little lounge, a kitchen-type area, at the Ocean Springs Police Department and Saucier then told Miller he had hid the guns under a bush in the backyard. Saucier then admitted some involvement in the armed robbery but, according to Miller, "he put the monkey on the kid's back." At daylight the next morning officers recovered the weapons.
On July 28, 1986, after Saucier had been transported to the Jackson County Adult Detention Center in Pascagoula, he was approached by Becky Fulton, a probation and parole officer with the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Officer Fulton was supervising Saucier incident to his parole. Fulton served Saucier with a warrant for parole violation. The purpose of the meeting was solely to discuss Saucier's revocation hearing. Both Ms. Fulton and Saucier testified at the suppression hearing regarding their meeting. A review of their testimony is warranted.
The direct examination of Ms. Fulton taken at the suppression hearing regarding Saucier's rights and alleged invocation of right to counsel follows:
Q. Okay. And did you ask him about his involvement?
A. Right. I advised Mr. Saucier of his rights, and he discussed the two charges with me.
Q. All right. Would you tell the Court, and for the record, Mrs. Fulton, what rights you advised him, specifically, what the rights were — what you told him in regard to his rights?
A. I normally have a card that I carry. It's his Miranda rights.
Q. The Miranda warnings?
A. Right.
Q. Okay. And it was the full and complete Miranda warnings?
A. Yes, it was.
Q. Did you advise him that he had a right to an attorney before he talked to you?
A. Yes, I did.
Q. Did you advise him that he could cease questioning at any time he wanted to until — and have an attorney present?
A. Yes.
Q. Okay. Did you tell him he could remain silent — anything he said could be used against him?
A. Yes.
Q. Okay. You told him all of that, didn't you?
A. Right. Uh-huh.
Q. Did he ask you, or did he indicate to you in any manner that he wanted an attorney?
A. No.
*
Q. All right. When you read him his rights, did he appear to understand them to you?
A. Yes, he did.
Q. And did he indicate that he wanted an attorney, or he would go ahead and talk to you?
A. We discussed the charges, and he asked me if I would contact Tom Fortner for him.
Q. He asked you if you would?
A. Right.
Q. Okay. And did you?
A. Right. I contacted Mr. Fortner's office.
O Okay. And what did Mr. Fortner tell you?
A. I don't recall whether I talked to Mr. Fortner or to his secretary. Normally, we just contact Mr. Fort-ner's office to advise him that we do have a subject in jail under new charges, and that we would like for his office to talk with the person in jail.
O' Did you have this conversation before he told you of his involvement?
<1 I don't recall.
o Okay. Well, Mrs. Fulton, if he had said, no, I want an attorney — I mean, would you have questioned him any further?
> No.
£) Did he indicate to you that he wanted an attorney present?
!> No.
<© And you're not sure if he, maybe later in the conversation, he asked for you to contact Tom Fortner for him?
i> He just asked me some time that morning, or that day, before I left the jail, if I would contact Tom Fortner's office.
Q. And you did?
A. And I did.
*
,© And he was — was he fully cooperative with you?
i> Yes.
Í) And he never asked you for, you know, to have an attorney present?
í> No.
<© Did he ask you whether or not he wanted to see an attorney?
i> I don't believe he did.
Q. All he asked you was, please contact Tom Fortner for me?
A. Right.
Q. And tell him I'm out here at the jail?
A. Right.
Saucier's direct testimony at the suppression hearing regarding his meeting with Ms. Fulton was as follows:
Q. Now, on Monday morning after you had been brought over here — Monday morning the 28th — the morning of your arrest — did you have occasion to talk to Becky Fulton from the Department of Probation and Parole?
A. [By Saucier] I can't remember if it was that morning that I talked to her, or if it was that afternoon. I did talk to her on that day.
Q. And what did y'all talk about, or what did she say to you? What was the gist of y'all's conversation?
A. As far as I can remember, the whole conversation was — that she came over, she told me that she had to issue a warrant for a retake on me so I could not make bond. And she asked me, she said, "John, what in the world are you doing in a mess like this?" My answer was, "I do not know." She said, "Well, look, I'm going to get in touch with Tom Fortner for you." She said, "Tom is the public defender. " She said, "I know you can't afford a lawyer, so I'm going to get in touch with Tom for you. " She said, "Tom is really about the best lawyer around here."
A review of the above indicates that the testimony of Fulton and Saucier is essentially the same on the invocation of the right to counsel: Saucier did not invoke his right to counsel. Fulton positively testified on several occasions that Saucier did not, at any time, ask for an attorney. Saucier himself testified that it was Fulton who offered to get him counsel. Nowhere in his suppression hearing testimony does Saucier say he asked Fulton to get him an attorney. Since Saucier did not invoke his right to counsel, the taped confession pursuant to written waiver of rights was admissible.
Assuming arguendo that Saucier did, in fact, invoke his right to counsel on July 28, 1986, when he was with his probation officer Fulton, the confession was still admissible because Saucier knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently waived, in writing, his alleged prior invocation. A copy of the rights and waiver form signed by Saucier is included herein for clarity:
BEFORE WE ASK ANY QUESTIONS, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND YOUR RIGHTS:
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT. ANYTHING YOU SAY CAN AND WILL BE USED AGAINST YOU IN A COURT OR THE PROCEEDINGS. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY PRESENT DURING ANY QUESTIONING AND/OR INTERROGATING. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD AN ATTORNEY, AND SO DESIRE, ONE WILL BE APPOINTED FOR YOU PRIOR TO ANY QUESTIONING.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS OR MAKE A STATEMENT, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO STOP AT ANY TIME.
I, [signed by John R. Saucier], HAVE READ (OR HAVE HAD READ TO ME) THE ABOVE STATEMENT. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF MY RIGHTS AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THOSE RIGHTS.
SIGNED: [John R. Saucier]
WITNESS: [signed by James O'Bryant and Det. C.B. Polifrone]
DATE: July 29,1986 TIME: 9:30 AM
WAIVER OF RIGHTS
I, [signed by John R. Saucier], have been informed of my right to remain silent and the right to have an attorney present. I have been informed that in the event that I cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for me. I fully understand those rights. I wish to waive those rights and agree to answer questions and/or make a statement. I do this voluntarily. There have been no promises or threats made to me.
SIGNED: [J.R. Saucier]
WITNESS: [signed by James O'Bryant and Det. C.B. Polifrone]
DATE: July 29,1986 TIME: 9:32 AM
(emphasis added).
The United States Supreme Court recognizes the right of a criminal defendant to waive his right to counsel. See Brewer v. Williams, 430 U.S. 387, 97 S.Ct. 1232, 51 L.Ed.2d 424 (1977). When Saucier signed the waiver form, he voluntarily, and in writing, waived his right to counsel at that time, whether previously invoked or not. Had Saucier desired the assistance of counsel at any point during his statement, he was free to say so and the waiver would have immediately been of no further effect, for a waiver is effective only so long as the criminal defendant wishes it to be. Min-nick v. State, 551 So.2d 77, 85 (Miss.1988) citing Patterson v. Illinois, 487 U.S. 285, 108 S.Ct. 2389, 2395 n. 5, 101 L.Ed.2d 261 (1988). However, Saucier did not ask for assistance of counsel; to the contrary, he signed a document acknowledging that he understood he had a right to have an attorney present and specifically waived that right.
Additionally, when Saucier met with his parole officer, Fulton on July 28, 1986, he was adamant about invoking his right to waive the revocation hearing. Given Saucier's prior experience with uncounseled confessions and their use against him in a court of law, See Saucier v. State, 328 So.2d 355 (Miss.1976), it is readily apparent that had Saucier desired to invoke his right to counsel, he would have been equally adamant on that point as well.
The rules regarding admissibility of confessions or other inculpatory statements are familiar. The Miranda warnings must be given. Rule 1.03, Miss.Unif.Crim.R.Cir. Ct.Prac. (1979); Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 478-79, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 1630, 16 L.Ed.2d 694, 726 (1966); Jones v. State, 461 So.2d 686, 696-97 (Miss.1984). The accused must then give a knowing and voluntary waiver of both his right to remain silent and his right of access to counsel. Powell v. State, 540 So.2d 13, 16 (Miss.1989); Pinkney v. State, 538 So.2d 329, 342 (Miss. 1988).
If the accused indicates in any manner at any time prior to or during questioning that he wishes to remain silent or to have access to counsel, the officers must cease interrogation. Jones v. State, 461 So.2d at 699. Where the accused asks for counsel, the officers may not resume interrogation until counsel has been provided, except where the accused voluntarily reinitiates the discussion of the charges. Leather-wood v. State, 548 So.2d 389, 395 (Miss. 1989); Burnside v. State, 544 So.2d 1352, 1354-55 (Miss.1988). Where the defendant objects to the prosecution's use of a confession at trial as evidence against him, the prosecution bears the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt each fact which is prerequisite to admissibility. Burnside v. State, 537 So.2d 420, 423-24 (Miss.1988); Lutes v. State, 517 So.2d 541, 548 (Miss. 1987); White v. State, 495 So.2d 1346, 1347 (Miss.1986).
On appeal, this Court's scope of review of findings of fact is limited by the familiar substantial evidence rule. Davis v. State, 551 So.2d 165,169 (Miss.1989). In this case the Circuit Court made no specific findings with respect to each of the three inculpato-ry statements, instead making a general finding of voluntariness and, hence, admissibility. Where this is so, we may, nevertheless, rely upon findings which are fairly implied in the ruling made by the court.
After a full evidentiary hearing, the trial court found Saucier's waiver to be knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently given. On that basis, the trial court found his confession to be admissible. Based on the foregoing, and finding no error in the ruling below regarding this first assignment of error, we affirm thereasto.
IV.
There is another serious question presented for review. On the morning of trial Saucier moved for an order precluding the prosecution's use of his prior murder conviction for impeachment. The Circuit Court denied the motion. Saucier appeals this ruling.
On February 19, 1973, when'he was seventeen years old, Saucier shot and killed a police officer and was thereafter tried and convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Saucier served eight years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections and was released on parole on June 9, 1982. Upon Saucier's motion in limine, he represented that he desired to appear as a witness in his own defense but that he would be precluded from doing so .if the court held that the prosecution could present his prior conviction for impeachment. The Court ultimately ruled that the prior conviction could be introduced consistent with Rule 609, Miss. R.Ev., and at trial Saucier did not take the stand.
We are aware that such a ruling may have "a chilling effect on his right to testify." Hawkins v. State, 538 So.2d 1204, 1206 (Miss.1989). We have not yet decided whether we will follow the federal course and hold that, to preserve the issue for appellate review, the defendant must take the witness stand and be subjected to impeachment by the prior conviction. See Luce v. United States, 469 U.S. 38, 105 S.Ct. 460, 83 L.Ed.2d 443 (1984). At the very least, a defendant wishing to present the point on appeal, absent having taken the witness stand himself, must preserve for the record substantial and detailed evidence of the testimony he would have given so that we may gauge its importance to his defense. For example, we can conceive of the case where a defendant may have a bona fide alibi defense which, as a practical matter, is hardly likely to persuade the jury if the defendant himself does not testify and subject himself to cross-examination by the prosecution. If such a defendant has in his distant past a conviction of a serious felony, as here, he may well be faced with a Hobson's choice in deciding whether to testify. On the other hand, if a defendant in fact has nothing of substance to say in his own defense, we are hardly likely to give the time of day to his suggestion that his right of allocution was chilled by the foreknowledge that the prosecution would present his prior conviction.
The hearing on the motion in limine was held prior to our decisions in Signer v. State, 536 So.2d 10, 12-13 (Miss.1988); Leon Johnson v. State, 529 So.2d 577, 585-88 (Miss.1988); Mclnnis v. State, 527 So.2d 84, 85-89 (Miss.1988); L.V. Johnson v. State, 525 So.2d 809, 811-13 (Miss.1988); and Peterson v. State, 518 So.2d 632, 635-38 (Miss.1987). In those cases we have made clear that Rule 609 is to be taken seriously, and that that rule effectively repeals any notion that a prior felony conviction works a corruption of blood, rendering the convicted felon thereafter a witness unworthy of belief. As a threshold point, the prosecution is required to show that the conduct giving rise to the prior conviction was such that it bears upon the witness' propensity for truthfulness. Mclnnis v. State, 527 So.2d at 88-89. Once the prosecution makes this prima facie showing, the circuit court is required to consider and balance at least five separate factors and make an on-the-record determination on each and on the ultimate question of whether the probative value of the prior conviction on the issue of the witness' truthfulness outweighs its prejudicial effect. Peterson v. State, 518 So.2d at 638.
Notwithstanding, although we have carefully reviewed this point, we cannot say that error was committed of such gravity that reversal is required. See Rule 103(a) Miss.R.Ev.
V.
Saucier tenders several additional issues for review.
A.
The weapon used in the robbery was a black metal pellet gun weighing three or four pounds. Saucier points to the fact that there was a piece missing from the weapon rendering it inoperative and, in any event, that it was not loaded and thus was not a "deadly weapon" within our armed robbery statute. See Miss.Code Ann. § 97-3-79 (Supp.1989). We have inspected the gun and without doubt it could have been used to club the victim and thereby inflict serious bodily injury. As a matter of law, this weapon is a "deadly weapon" within the statute. See Davis v. State, 530 So.2d 694, 702-03 (Miss.1988); Duckworth v. State, 477 So.2d 935, 938 (Miss.1985); Jackson v. State, 404 So.2d 543, 544 (Miss. 1981); Cittadino v. State, 199 Miss. 235, 243-47, 24 So.2d 93, 95-96 (1945). Of course, the constitution precludes a directed verdict for the prosecution on any essential element of the offense charged. Accordingly, we may only hold that this weapon was not such that Saucier was entitled to have the issue taken from the jury and decided in his favor.
B.
Saucier argues that there was insufficient probable cause for his arrest and, hence, the warrant issued by Justice Court Judge Raymond Beaugez and his arrest pursuant thereto were unlawful. The point is specious. The affidavit presented to Judge Beaugez was made by the victim, Laferreire, who personally appeared before Judge Beaugez and described fully what had happened. In addition, Judge Beaugez was advised that Officer Miller had been contacted by the mother of the minor participant and advised of her son's was involvement in the robbery with Saucier. We are told nothing which seriously suggests any infirmity in the arrest of Saucier. See Rule 1.01, Miss.Unif.Crim.R.Cir.Ct. Prac.; Lockett v. State, 517 So.2d 1317, 1324 (Miss.1987); Moore v. State, 493 So.2d 1295, 1298 (Miss.1986).
C.
Saucier challenges Laferreire's in-court identification of him as her robber and assailant on grounds that it was tainted by her extensive observance of Saucier at the pre-trial parole revocation hearing. The record, however, reflects more than an adequate basis for overruling defense objection on this point.
Laferriere testified at the suppression hearing concerning her opportunity to observe Saucier at the time of the robbery. In addition to the facts previously mentioned, she noted that Saucier had spoken with her, at a distance of two to three feet, a few minutes before hiring her to drive to Ocean Springs. Additionally, the dome light was on while the car was stopped during the robbery. Finally, she observed Saucier as he stepped from the cab, turned and said good-bye, and walked to the getaway car.
On this record the point is without merit. Manson v. Brathwaite, 432 U.S. 98, 97 S.Ct. 2243, 53 L.Ed.2d 140 (1977); Neil v. Biggers, 409 U.S. 188, 93 S.Ct. 375, 34 L.Ed.2d 401 (1972); York v. State, 413 So.2d 1372 (Miss.1982).
D.
Saucier presents several additional issues for review which merit neither discussion nor reversal. See Ford v. State, 546 So.2d 686, 690 (Miss.1989); Ponthieux v. State, 532 So.2d 1239, 1248 (Miss.1988); Kennedy v. State, 531 So.2d 638 (Miss.1988); Morea v. State, 329 So.2d 527 (Miss.1976).
VI.
The judgment of the Circuit Court that Saucier stand convicted of the crime of armed robbery, together with the sentence imposed thereon of twenty-five (25) years imprisonment should be, and they hereby are, affirmed.
AFFIRMED.
ROY NOBLE LEE, C.J., HAWKINS, P.J., and ANDERSON and BLASS, JJ., concur.
HAWKINS, P.J., specially concurs by separate written opinion, joined by SULLIVAN, J.
ROBERTSON, J., dissents as to part III, joined by PRATHER, J.
PITTMAN, J., not participating.
. On February 19, 1973, John Reed Saucier shot and killed Earl W. Phillips, Sr., a Harrison County law enforcement officer. Saucier was tried in the Circuit Court of Harrison County and convicted of murder on March 14, 1974, and sentenced to life imprisonment. Saucier appealed to this Court which on March 9, 1976, affirmed. Saucier v. State, 328 So.2d 355 (Miss.1976). Saucier was released on parole on June 9, 1982.
. See note 1, supra.
. In relevant part, Rule 609 reads as follows:
(a) General Rule. For the purpose of attacking the credibility of a witness, evidence that he has been convicted of a crime shall be admitted if elicited from him or established by public record during cross-examination but only if the crime (1) was punishable by death or imprisonment in excess of one year under the law under which he was convicted, and the court determines that the probative value of admitting this evidence outweighs its prejudicial effect on a party or (2) involved dishonesty or false statement, regardless of the punishment.
(b) Time Limit. Evidence of a conviction under this rule is not admissible if a period of more than ten years has elapsed since the date of the conviction or of the release of the witness from the confinement imposed for that conviction, whichever is the later date, unless the court determines, in the interests of justice, that the probative value of the conviction supported by the specific facts and circumstances substantially outweighs its prejudicial effect. However, evidence of a conviction more than ten years old as calculated herein, is not admissible unless the proponent gives to the adverse party sufficient advance written notice of intent to use such evidence to provide the adverse party with a fair opportunity to contest the use of such evidence.