Opinion ID: 3150731
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Testimony of G.W.’s Father

Text: 10 ¶17. During its case-in-chief, the State called G.W.’s father to testify. Defense counsel objected because Mr. W. was not on the State’s original witness list. The State informed both the trial judge and defense counsel that the witness list had been supplemented. Additionally, Mr. W’s statement was included in the original discovery provided to defense counsel; therefore, defense counsel was on notice that Mr. W. could be called as a witness and to what his testimony would be if he were called. Defense counsel argued that he never received the supplemental witness list, even though one was filed with the trial court. The trial court allowed defense counsel additional time to prepare its cross-examination after Mr. W. testified on direct. ¶18. While we find no discovery violation occurred, this Court considers discovery violations to be harmless “unless it affirmatively appears from the entire record that the violation caused a miscarriage of justice.” Payton v. State, 897 So. 2d 921, 942 (Miss. 2003). During cross-examination, it also was revealed that defense counsel and Mr. W. had spoken previously. Mr. W. did not offer testimony that inculpated Graves in the crimes charged. Moreover, Mr. W. testified that he did not speak with G.W. regarding the specifics of her allegations against Graves. As such, this issue is without merit.