Opinion ID: 1706518
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Refusal to Grant Mistrial on the Basis of a Statement as to Reputation and Record

Text: In his first assignment of error, Reynolds asserts that the trial court erred in refusing to grant his motion for mistrial, which was based on references to his reputation and criminal record. Rule 404(b) of the Mississippi Rules of Evidence makes such statements improper and inadmissible. Rule 5.15 of the Mississippi Uniform Criminal Rules of Circuit Court Practice provides that the trial court shall declare a mistrial on the motion of the defendant if there occurs an error or legal defect in the proceeding, or conduct inside or outside the courtroom, resulting in substantial and irreparable prejudice to the defendant's case. In accordance with the rule, this Court has held that an occurrence of any prejudicially inadmissible matter or misconduct before the jury, the damaging effect of which cannot be removed by admonition or instructions, necessitates a mistrial. Davis v. State, 530 So.2d 694, 697 (Miss. 1988). The trial judge, who is in the best position to determine if a remark is truly prejudicial, is given considerable discretion to determine whether a remark creates irreparable prejudice necessitating a mistrial. Where the remark creates no irreparable prejudice, then the trial court should admonish the jury to disregard the improper remark. Roundtree v. State, 568 So.2d 1173, 1177 (Miss. 1990). Such remedial acts of the trial court are usually deemed sufficient to remove any prejudicial effect from the minds of the jurors. The jury is presumed to have followed the instructions of the trial court. Davis, 530 So.2d at 697. In the instant case the trial judge, after objection by Reynolds, properly admonished the jury to disregard the reference to reputation and criminal record. The trial court did so a second time later. It is presumed that the jury follow these instructions. The trial court did not err in refusing to grant the motion for mistrial.