Opinion ID: 1637335
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: C.C.'s Unavailability as a Witness

Text: ¶ 26. While Bishop does not specifically argue that the trial court erred in finding that C.C. was unavailable as a witness under Rule 804(a)(6), the Court will address it herein for the purpose of fully analyzing Bishop's argument under Rule 803(25). Mississippi Rule of Evidence 804(a)(6) states that a child is unavailable as a witness if there is a substantial likelihood that the emotional or psychological health of the witness would be substantially impaired if the child had to testify in the physical presence of the accused. Miss. R. Evid. 804(a)(6). After hearing testimony from Dr. Porter and A.C., the trial court found C.C. to be unavailable to testify, stating: I have considered the testimony of Dr. Porter and the mother. I have also considered for the purpose of what effect that trauma might have, the fact that the child is four years of age. The doctor testified that her experience is that this would traumatize most of the people that would be put in that position, and she did not make an exception for this child. And that coupled with the mother's testimony as to the difference in the child after these things were revealed is to the extent that I find that she is unavailable under the rules. ¶ 27. In Britt v. State, 844 So.2d 1180 (Miss.Ct.App.2003), the appellate court affirmed the conviction of the two appellants, a mother and her boyfriend, of severely beating the mother's child. On appeal, the appellants argued, inter alia, that the trial court abused its discretion when finding the children unavailable as witnesses under Rule 804(a)(6). Britt, 844 So.2d at 1183-84. The appellate court held that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it relied on the uncontested testimony of a licensed, professional counselor, who was accepted by the courts as an expert in the area of child abuse, who testified that there would be substantial impairment of the children's psychological health if they were compelled to testify in the presence of the defendants. Id. at 1184. ¶ 28. In the instant case, the judge held a pretrial hearing on this issue at which Dr. Porter testified to the following: Q. Dr. Porter, in your expert opinion, what do you believe to be the emotional or the psychological effects on [C.C.] if she was required to testify in the physical presence of the man that is accused of doing these acts on her, her father[,] Aaron Bishop? A. It is my opinion, having met with [C.C.], having heard the history from [C.C.'s] mother, and having read the therapist's report of [C.C.'s] behavioral problems and behavioral adjustment, that it would be harmful to [C.C.] to have to testify in the presence of her father. I think, you know, it's important that he hear what her testimony is, but to make her do that face to face, I believe would be very injurious to her because of her age and her behavioral problems that she has had, and she is just particularly vulnerable. . . . . Q. So again, in your expert opinion, your opinion is that it will be substantially likely that [C.C.'s] emotional or psychological health would be substantially impaired if she was required to testify in the physical presence of her father? Bishop's Counsel: Objection, Your Honor. He is leading the witness. It's his own direct witness. Court: He is just stating what the testimony has already been. It is cumulative. She has already answered. Q. Would that be your opinion? A. I believe it would be harmful to her. I do. ¶ 29. As in Britt, the evidence presented regarding the likelihood of trauma if C.C. were to testify in open court was completely uncontradicted. Therefore, we find the trial court did not abuse its discretion in finding C.C. unavailable to testify in accordance with Rule 804(a)(6).