Opinion ID: 1827595
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: refusing testimony or restricting testimony of witnesses.

Text: ¶ 24. Judge Boland argues that the Commission erred by restricting some witnesses' testimony and refusing to allow other witnesses' testimony altogether. Judge Boland contends that during cross-examination of the Commission's witness, Jennifer Riley-Collins, the Commission restricted testimony concerning Judge Boland's interest in diversity and race relations. The record reflects that Riley-Collins testified that she had never been in the courtroom while Judge Boland conducted an adjudicatory session. When questioned whether anyone had told Riley-Collins that Judge Boland had not been fair to them in the courtroom, Riley-Collins stated that she had never spoken about Judge Boland to anyone; therefore, her answer to the question was no. Riley-Collins also stated that she had seen Judge Boland at the Friendship Ball, an event for individuals interested in racial relations and diversity. Riley-Collins also stated that Judge Boland was part of Leadership Jackson, however, she had seen Judge Boland for only a few minutes towards the end of the program on diversity. Clearly, counsel for Judge Boland questioned Riley-Collins concerning Judge Boland's participation in events and organizations which sponsored diversity. In addition, Judge Boland gave a lengthy account of her participation in numerous organizations and events in her community. We find this issue to be without merit. ¶ 25. Judge Boland also argues that the Commission limited the cross-examination testimony of Denise Pendleton. During Pendleton's cross-examination, counsel for Judge Boland asked Pendleton about her refusal to speak to Judge Boland's counsel prior to the hearing. In addition, counsel questioned Pendleton concerning whether she went before the board of supervisors for a raise. Pendleton previously had stated that Judge Boland assisted her in getting the drug-court coordinator job and a raise in salary. When asked whether Judge Boland went to the board of supervisors to get Pendleton her salary, the Commission stopped further questioning on this point. The Commission stated that it wanted counsel to address the complaint. The Commission stated that the manner in which Pendleton was hired for her job, what kind of salary she earned, and whether she refused to speak to defense counsel were irrelevant to the proceeding. ¶ 26. This Court finds that the Commission did not err by restricting the questions concerning Pendleton's employment, salary, and refusal to speak to defense counsel prior to the hearing. These issues were addressed, and additional questioning about these restricted issues would not have pertained to Judge Boland's hearing on her conduct. Further, Judge Boland did not demonstrate any prejudice to her from the restriction of the testimony. ¶ 27. Furthermore, the record reveals that, notwithstanding the Commission's restricted questioning, Pendleton gave a significant amount of favorable testimony concerning Judge Boland. Pendleton stated that (1) she never saw Judge Boland act in a manner similar to her actions in Dallas, (2) Judge Boland was helpful to people who came before her in court, (3) Judge Boland had never showed any bias or prejudice to anyone who appeared before her, and (4) Judge Boland bent over backwards to help people who needed help in her courtroom. In addition, Pendleton stated that she knew Judge Boland was sick while in Dallas. Pendleton also stated that the drug court received funding, and it was in operation. This Court finds that Pendleton's testimony was not limited solely to Judge Boland's actions in Dallas. While the Commission limited certain aspects of Pendleton's testimony, defense counsel had an adequate opportunity to question Pendleton about her employment, Judge Boland's conduct in the courtroom, and her conduct at the conference. ¶ 28. Judge Boland also contends that the Commission erred by failing to hear the testimony of three of her witnesses. The Commission did not allow testimony from Catouche Body, deposition testimony from Charles Griffin, and testimony from John Owen. The Commission previously had heard testimony from five other witnesses concerning Judge Boland: Judge Parker, Brenda Mathis, Hinds County Justice Court Judge Frank Sutton, Louise Dillon, and Captain Nate Ross with the Hinds County Sheriff's Department. ¶ 29. The Commission considered Body, Griffin, and Owen to be additional character witnesses. The Commission considered the proffered testimony for Body, which was, in essence, that he had worked with Judge Boland as an attorney in her court, and he had never observed any racial prejudice or bias. The Commission also reviewed Griffin's proffered deposition videotape and deemed it character testimony. The deposition testimony from Griffin revealed that he had known Judge Boland and her husband for many years; their children were friends who had spent time at one another's homes; Judge Boland and his wife were friends; and, he, as a practicing lawyer, had never witnessed or heard Judge Boland show bias or prejudice against individuals who appeared before her in court. ¶ 30. The Commission also heard some testimony from Owen. However, the Commission stopped Owens's testimony and ultimately determined that his testimony concerning the drug court's operations was not the subject of the hearing, as there were no allegations against Judge Boland concerning drug-court misconduct. Further, the Commission determined that numerous other witnesses whom it classified as character witnesses had testified concerning their working relationships with Judge Boland. ¶ 31. We find that the Commission did not err by excluding these three witnesses' testimony. Rule 7 of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance states: [t]he judge shall be limited to two (2) character witnesses who may testify at the formal hearing; he may submit the affidavits of any other character witness he deems appropriate. ¶ 32. Here, Judge Boland had more than two character witnesses testify on her behalf. All of Judge Boland's witnesses testified about her character. In fact, all of Judge Boland's witnesses, with the exception of Dillon, stated that she showed no bias or prejudice in her capacity as judge. Most of her witnesses praised her hard work, competence, and dedication to the drug court and helping others. Dillon was Judge Boland's therapist and therefore she did not observe her in her capacity as judge. However, Dillon stated that she thought that Judge Boland's statements were out of character and may have been due to exhaustion and secondary traumatic stress. ¶ 33. Also, the Commission heard proffered testimony and deposition testimony from the potential witnesses prior to making its decision to classify these three witnesses as character witnesses. A review of the record and the attached exhibits at issue reveal that the Commission was correct in its finding that the testimony from the three witnesses amounted to character testimony. This testimony was duplicative of that of other character witnesses who testified on Judge Boland's behalf, and it was properly excluded by the Commission.