Opinion ID: 6109767
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Improper Rebuttal Testimony

Text: For his second point, Smith argues that the circuit court erred when it improperly permitted the prosecution to present rebuttal testimony. During the penalty phase of the trial, Smith presented testimony from Randall Jones, who worked for the Dallas County Detention Center. He testified that while Smith was awaiting trial, he was a model prisoner and never showed any signs of aggression or violence. After Smith rested, the State argued that it was entitled to present a rebuttal witness, Coby Rauls. Rauls testified that he was a deputy sheriff with Cleveland County and that he had transported Smith from one of his court appointments back to the detention center. During the transportation, Rauls recounted that Smith stated he would like to use the officer's night stick to beat the driver of the vehicle in front of him for excitement. Before Rauls testified, Smith's attorney argued that it wasn't rebuttal because the officer wasn't at the detention center to witness Smith's behavior. The court allowed the rebuttal noting that it related to Smith's behavior while he was still a prisoner. Smith argues that the evidence was improper because Rauls's testimony was not in response to Jones's. The State in turn  argues that this argument was not presented to the circuit court. See Hicks , 2017 Ark. 262 at 10, 526 S.W.3d at 838 . In his reply, Smith admits that he did not present this specific argument to the circuit court below. However, even if we address his argument, it is meritless. The decision to admit rebuttal testimony is at the circuit court's discretion and we will not reverse unless the circuit court abused that discretion. Gilliland v. State , 2010 Ark. 135 at 11, 361 S.W.3d 279 , 285. Here, Jones testified that Smith was a model prisoner. The State's rebuttal witness countered that assertion by Smith's comment in the squad car. Smith can't show that the circuit court abused its discretion by allowing Rauls to testify.