Opinion ID: 1821861
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: did the trial court commit reversible error in permitting veronica otto to testify in rebuttal?

Text: ¶ 11. The determination of whether evidence is properly admitted as rebuttal evidence is within the sound discretion of the trial court. Wakefield v. Puckett, 584 So.2d 1266, 1268 (Miss.1991); Armstrong v. State, 771 So.2d 988, 999 (Miss. Ct.App.2000). Therefore, this Court will not disturb the trial court's decision to allow Veronica to testify in rebuttal, unless there was an abuse of discretion. ¶ 12. On the third day of trial during the cross-examination of Mills, Veronica Otto approached one of the prosecutors and told him that Mills had confessed to her that he shot McClain. Mills denied having any conversation with Veronica about the shooting of McClain. The prosecutor asked that the jury be excused and informed the trial court and the defense of the new development. The trial court granted a recess during which Mills was allowed to interview Veronica. The prosecution announced, outside the presence of the jury, that they would call Veronica as a rebuttal witness. Mills objected stating that it is kind of late to prepare for a witness. The prosecution noted that her testimony would be for impeachment purposes only and that Mills had failed to indicate what further investigation was needed. Veronica was allowed to testify. ¶ 13. Mills argues that because Veronica sat through a portion of the trial, including the testimony of Dr. Hayne and Mills, she should not have been allowed to take the stand. Furthermore, Mills argues that since Veronica is a sister of Patrick, Mills's accomplice, she had the opportunity to learn about the testimony of all the witnesses from her family members who sat through the entire trial. Mills also contends that he was not substantially prepared to meet the new evidence with surrebuttal, as required by Smith v. State, 646 So.2d 538 (Miss.1994). ¶ 14. In Box v. State, 437 So.2d 19 (Miss.1983), this Court reversed and remanded a conviction of armed robbery where the identity of a key witness was not revealed until the evening before the trial. In that case the State had constructive knowledge of the witness's identity 9 months before trial but failed to produce that knowledge to the defense counsel. This Court stated that the accused has an interest in knowing reasonably well in advance of trial what the prosecution will try to prove and how it will attempt to make its proof. Id. at 21. Box set forth suggested guidelines for trial courts to follow when dealing with a newly discovered witness. First, the defendant, after making a timely objection, should be given a reasonable opportunity to interview the newly discovered witness. Second, if the defendant believes that he has been subjected to unfair surprise and that his defense will be prejudiced, the defendant should request a continuance. Third, should the State elect to use the witness, the trial judge has considerable discretion in deciding whether to grant a continuance or new trial. ¶ 15. Unlike Box, this is not a case where the prosecution had knowledge that Veronica was a witness before trial began. The trial judge properly determined that there was no discovery violation. The prosecution did not withhold the new evidence and informed Mills and the trial court as soon as the new evidence was discovered. However, the Box guidelines are still appropriately considered when a trial court is presented with new evidence at trial. In this case, the trial judge protected the interest of the defense with regard to the new evidence. The trial judge allowed Mills to interview Veronica. Mills conducted a 15 minute interview with Veronica before the cross-examination. Furthermore, Mills was unrestricted in his cross-examination of Veronica. He had the opportunity to explore the reasons why Veronica was late in coming forward with her knowledge of the crime. He also had the opportunity to inquire if she had discussed with her family any testimony from previous witnesses. As evidenced by the record, Mills did ask questions related to Veronica's tardiness. Nothing in the record suggests that Mills would have needed more time to develop his defense because of the new testimony and nothing suggests that he was prejudiced because of the new evidence. Further, Mills did not request a continuance. He stated that a continuance would be unfeasible as late as the third day of trial. ¶ 16. The trial judge also determined that because Veronica's statement was similar to the statement given by Howard Mills basically confessed to Howard at a Texaco station that he killed McClainand because Mills denied making those confessions to Howard, the testimony was proper for rebuttal. Her testimony on direct was used to impeach Mills's testimony that he had no discussions with Veronica regarding the murder of McClain. For these reasons, this issue is also without merit.