Opinion ID: 1687603
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The State's alleged discovery violation.

Text: ¶ 24. Cavett asserts that a discovery violation occurred when the State's firearms expert testified about stippling on the decedent's arm. Although Cavett does not argue this issue or cite any authority, he contends that this alleged discovery violation also contributed to an unfair trial. Cavett's failure to cite authority precludes consideration on appeal. See Beckwith, 707 So.2d at 597. ¶ 25. In the alternative, Cavett's argument is without merit, because he clearly failed to follow the proper procedure for combating discovery violations. After all parties had rested their cases, the defense attorneys moved for a portion of the firearms expert's testimony to be struck from the record. They argued that they were unfairly surprised by his testimony as to the cause of the stippling on the decedent's arm. After lengthy discussions, the trial judge noted that the defendants knew the firearms expert was going to testify, and they had his lab report. The trial judge also ruled that the objection should have been made when the allegedly surprising testimony was presented, and denied the defendants' motion to strike portions of the testimony. ¶ 26. It is well-settled, that a defendant claiming unfair surprise must, at a minimum, request a continuance to consider the previously undisclosed evidence: Should the defendant fail to request a continuance, he has waived the issue. Snelson v. State, 704 So.2d 452, 458 (Miss.1997) (quoting Duplantis v. State, 644 So.2d 1235, 1250 (Miss.1994)). ¶ 27. Thus, Cavett's argument is procedurally barred for failure to cite authority. Moreover, Cavett did not request a continuance when allegedly surprising information was first brought to light. Therefore, his argument on this point is without merit.