Opinion ID: 1101055
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Testimony of Mr. Billy Mangold

Text: ¶ 61. Hennington argues that the testimony of Mangold was inadmissible hearsay that did not meet the requirements of the exception to hearsay in Miss. R. Evid. 803(25). He complains that there was no on the record finding of factors considered by the judge prior to ruling the testimony admissible. ¶ 62. The trial judge conducted a hearing outside the presence of the jury as required by Miss. R. Evid. 803(25). Although the trial judge did not specifically mention the Wright factors he considered, he admitted the testimony of Mangold under Miss. R. Evid. 803(25). The record before this Court contains sufficient evidence of the Wright factors presented to the judge prior to his admission of Mangold's testimony. ¶ 63. Mangold was questioned by the State regarding his interview of A.R. and his findings as a result of that interview. Q. And how did you conduct the interview after you said you had some small talk. How did you get to the point of asking him regarding the sexual abuse? A. Basically I told him that I had talked with his parent, and his parents had talked with me and told me he had something that we needed to talk about, and if he would, just wherever he wanted to start, start and tell me about what happened. Q. And did he immediately begin to tell you? A. Yes, ma'am, he did. Q. What did he tell you? A. He told me that his Uncle Matt Hennington had taken his private parts in his hands and moved it up and down. He also told me that his uncle Matt would take his hands and place them on Mr. Matt Hennington until white stuff came out. He told me that Mr. Matt Hennington put his mouth on his penis, he referred to it as private part, and moved it up and down.       Q. At that time did you believe him? A. Yes, ma'am, I did. Q. Why? A. Basically because he's very consistent with his information. His demeanor was such that he had a difficult time talking about it, he was very concerned, he was a little ashamed to talk about it, and he basically fit the pattern of numerous other children that we've talked with and dealt with on sexual abuse matters, and he was very believable in his statements. ¶ 64. After this proffered testimony was given outside the hearing of the jury, the trial judge found there were sufficient indicia of reliability as required by M.R.E. 803(25) so as to allow the testimony of Mangold. The judge made the following ruling: THE COURT: As we've discussed in the past, since the Court has previously ruled that the alleged victim in this case obviously is unavailable, the Court hereby finds that the statements given is [sic] immediately after the day of alleged  what was the date, Mr. Mangold? A. The date after the alleged abuse took place is the date I interviewed the child, yes, sir. THE COURT: Three days or so after the alleged incident, obviously, the child at the Department of Human Services, was preparing import of what he was doing there, and I find that there are particularized guarantees of trustworthiness in this particular case which provides substantial indicia of reliability, and I'll admit the testimony. ¶ 65. Again, this Court has previously held that no mechanical test is available to find substantial indicia of reliability. Eakes, 665 So.2d at 865. Although not an exhaustive list, some factors to consider are spontaneity and consistent repetition, mental state of the declarant, use of terminology unexpected of a child of similar age, and lack of motive to fabricate. Doe, 644 So.2d at 1206. Other factors to consider are whether there is an apparent motive on the part of the declarant to lie and the timing of the declarations. Miss. R. Evid. 803 cmt. 25. The record supplies this Court on review sufficient indicia of reliability to find that Mangold's testimony was properly admitted under Miss. R. Evid. 803(25). When the correct legal standard is employed by the trial court, this Court will reverse a finding of admissibility only when there has been an abuse of discretion. Eakes, 665 So.2d at 865; Doe, 644 So.2d at 1207. This Court does not find that the trial court abused its discretion as to the testimony admitted under Miss. R. Evid. 803(25). Therefore, Hennington's argument must fail, and the trial court is affirmed.