Opinion ID: 1580541
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: exclusion of mitigating hearsay evidence

Text: During the penalty phase, the defense asked Sims's mother if she had spoken with Sims regarding this incident. When she answered in the affirmative, the defense began to ask her, Has he expressed to which the trial judge sustained the State's objection on grounds that her statement was hearsay and self-serving. Sims argues on appeal that this limitation on mitigating evidence of remorse was improper. We agree that otherwise admissible evidence should not be excluded during a capital sentencing hearing based upon the fact that it is hearsay. Odom, 928 S.W.2d at 28. However, we agree with the Court of Criminal Appeals that Sims has waived this issue for failure to make an offer of proof or to raise this assignment of error in his motion for a new trial. Tenn.R.App.P. 3(e), 36(a); State v. Hall, 958 S.W.2d 679, 714 (Tenn.1997); State v. Walker, 910 S.W.2d 381, 386 (Tenn.1995). We also decline Sims's request to follow the procedure outlined in State v. Goad, 707 S.W.2d 846 (Tenn.1986). In Goad, the trial court inappropriately limited the defendant's offer of proof, and we remanded the case for further development of the record. Id. at 853. Here, the defendant made no proffer. The issue is therefore waived.