Opinion ID: 1776668
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Whether the trial court erred in the admission of testimony by Brian Croom.

Text: ¶ 51. Randolph asserts that the admission of Brian Croom's testimony was erroneous and a discovery violation pursuant to Box v. State, 437 So.2d 19 (Miss. 1983). On the third day of trial, Croom stated that he saw the car of the victim, Keyes, riding toward Rawls Springs on the night of the murders. The trial court was informed of this statement as soon as it was discovered by the State. ¶ 52. This Court has enumerated the following procedures when a discovery violation is asserted before the trial court: 1. Upon defense objection, the trial court should give the defendant a reasonable opportunity to become familiar with the undisclosed evidence by interviewing the witness, inspecting the physical evidence, etc. 2. If, after this opportunity for familiarization, the defendant believes he may be prejudiced by lack of opportunity to prepare to meet the evidence, he must request a continuance. Failure to do so constitutes a waiver of the issue. 3. If the defendant does request a continuance, the State may choose to proceed with trial and forego using the undisclosed evidence. If the State is not willing to proceed without the evidence, the trial court must grant the requested continuance. Norris v. State, 735 So.2d 363, 364 (Miss.1999)(citing Cole v. State, 525 So.2d 365, 367-68 (Miss.1987)). When the State fails to follow discovery procedures a reversal is not warranted in every case. Box v. State, 437 So.2d at 21. This Court has held that a [n]on-discovered evidence may be admitted at trial if the party against whom that evidence is offered is given a reasonable opportunity to make adequate accommodation. Robinson v. State, 508 So.2d 1067, 1071 (Miss.1987). ¶ 53. In the case sub judice, defense counsel claimed that they needed time to investigate the witness. The trial court overruled the Box objection by defense counsel. However, the trial court did allow defense counsel time to interview the witness prior to resuming trial the next day. In his brief, Randolph states that he was given a reasonable opportunity to familiarize himself with the evidence by interviewing the witness on the evening before his testimony. ¶ 54. This Court finds that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting Croom's testimony. The trial court denied the Box motion. Croom was already a listed witness in the trial and was disclosed to the defense. The trial court correctly limited Croom's testimony to information of his own personal knowledge. Croom's testimony before the jury was that he saw Randolph and Bates in Bowden's car. As Croom was leaving town, he saw Keyes's car going toward Rawls Springs. The defense was allowed time before the next day of trial to question Croom about his testimony. Croom was leaving town after bringing a friend home. Even though the additional information Croom offered was not known by the prosecution or defense, both sides had knowledge of Croom's identity since he was already on the witness list and scheduled to testify at trial. Therefore, the issue is without merit.