Opinion ID: 1768435
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Whether the trial court erred in admitting an irrelevant dying declaration in violation of MRE 401, 402, 403 as well as Petitioner's 6th, 8th, and 14th Amendment rights under the Constitution of the United States and its Mississippi constitutional corollaries.

Text: ¶ 51. Goodin last argues that the trial court erred in allowing Mitchell Graham to testify that a wounded Willis Rigdon told him that he did not know the man who had shot and robbed him, but his attacker was a black man. Goodin variously argues that the statement was irrelevant, it was more prejudicial than probative, and it did not meet the identification criteria necessary for admission as a dying declaration. ¶ 52. The State argues that Goodin objected to the statement at trial on a different basis than he is objecting now; therefore, his objection is procedurally barred. The State also argues that this issue was not raised on direct appeal and therefore, Goodin is procedurally barred from raising it now. See Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(1). ¶ 53. A review of the record shows that at trial the statement in question was offered both under the excited utterance hearsay exception found in M.R.E. 803(2) and the dying declaration hearsay exception found in M.R.E. 804(b)(2). Defense counsel objected, stating that the statement was hearsay, or that the hearsay exceptions had not been met. Outside the presence of the jury, defense counsel argued that the statement did not qualify as an excited utterance because the element of spontaneity was not present. As to dying declaration, defense counsel argued that Willis Rigdon did not believe his death to be imminent because he was asking for help, and the testimony from Ted Atkins, a paramedic who treated Rigdon, was not sufficient to support the notion that Rigdon was mortally wounded. The trial court found that the statement was admissible as a dying declaration. ¶ 54. The State is correct that Goodin is raising objections here that are different from those raised before the trial court. Even more importantly, the State is correct that this issue was not raised on direct appeal. Goodin is procedurally barred from raising it here. ¶ 55. As to the merits of Goodin's argument, Ridgon's statement was obviously relevant. Racial characteristics are unavoidably important factors in identification of defendants in criminal cases. This does not mean that race became an improper issue in this case as Goodin argues. If Rigdon had stated that a white man had shot him, that would also be relevant, and Goodin would have fought to have it admitted. ¶ 56. Goodin argues that a dying declaration is inadmissible unless it names a specific person. Goodin cites a number of cases from this Court and others where a specific person was named, but cites nothing that states that dying declarations are limited to this circumstance. Goodin also argues that Rigdon's statement could not pass muster as an identification of Goodin under Neil v. Biggers, 409 U.S. 188, 93 S.Ct. 375, 34 L.Ed.2d 401 (1972). While Rigdon's statement alone did identify Goodin, it is one piece of circumstantial evidence which supported the State's case. Considering that Goodin could be seen on the surveillance videotape of Rigdon's store, was driving Rigdon's truck, was in possession of cash, a pistol, a television and a VCR, Rigdon's statement corroborates this other evidence to a limited extent. Rigdon's statement was probably unnecessary evidence, but it was not inadmissible on the grounds argued here. Therefore, this issue is without merit.