Opinion ID: 1788387
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Admission of Evidence at the Sentencing Phase

Text: ¶ 58. Jordan claims that the trial court should have allowed him to delve into Frontrell Edwards's alleged intimidation or domination of Jordan. The trial court allowed Jordan's mother to testify that Edwards had once shot Jordan. However, the trial court ruled that Jordan's mother, Nannie Craft, could not testify further about the event because she had no firsthand knowledge of the shooting. Jordan also claims that the trial court should have allowed him to put on evidence that he suffered from several illnesses as a child. As this Court has previously stated, the trial court ruled that without some showing that the childhood illnesses had an impact on Jordan as an adult, the proposed testimony was irrelevant. ¶ 59. These claims are barred for failure to raise the claim on direct appeal of this case. No claim was presented to this Court on the basis of the trial court's sustaining of the objection to this line of questioning. Such a claim can not be raised for the first time on post-conviction review. See Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(1); Bishop v. State, 882 So.2d 135, 149 (Miss.2004); Grayson v. State, 879 So.2d 1008, 1020 (Miss.2004). By failing to present proof to support these assertions, Jordan's petition has failed to demonstrate cause and actual prejudice as required by Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21; therefore, the procedural bar is not waived. ¶ 60. Procedural bar aside, Jordan makes no argument under this issue, and he cites no authority. Thus, we decline to address these claims. Brown v. State, 798 So.2d 481, 497, 506 (Miss.2001) (citing Holland v. State, 705 So.2d 307, 329 (Miss. 1997)). See also Gary v. State, 760 So.2d 743, 754 (Miss.2000) (this Court may, at its discretion, refuse to review an assignment of error not supported by authority yet this is not an absolute bar). We find this issue to be without merit. ¶ 61. The trial court held a hearing on the issue of childhood illnesses. Finding that these illnesses did not affect Jordan during his adult life, the trial court found them to be irrelevant. We find this ruling to be proper. Also as previously stated, Jordan was able to argue that he was, at times, dominated by other people, especially Frontrell Edwards. Although we hold these claims are procedurally barred, they are likewise without merit.