Opinion ID: 1667146
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Hearsay objections regarding the testimony of Barbara Stanley

Text: ś 93. Thorson argues that the trial court also erred in sustaining a hearsay objection to the testimony of Barbara Stanley. Stanley was an employee of the Biloxi Police Department (BPD). Stanley testified that on March 5, 1987, she wrote a report concerning a missing person. Stanley identified the report, but she could not remember the individual who filed the report. Defense counsel asked Stanley what the report reflected about a possible burglary at McKinney's home, and the State objected on the ground of hearsay. The trial court excused the jury and heard arguments from counsel. Thorson argued the report fell under the hearsay exceptions of regularly conducted activity and public records. See M.R.E. 803(6) & (8). The State argued that the conclusions stated in the report were hearsay and should not be admitted. Thorson responded that the report was being offered not for the truth it asserted but to determine if any follow-up investigation had been conducted. The State further argued that the report constituted double hearsay. The State offered that such public documents could only be admitted to prove facts observed by officers, not hearsay statements of persons interviewed by the officers. The trial court sustained the State's objection and allowed Thorson to proffer testimony of Stanley. The trial court also held that Thorson could question the officers who investigated the case, which would eliminate the problem of double hearsay. However, the two investigating officers who were called to testify by Thorson were not questioned about the burglary allegation or if such an allegation was further investigated. We have stated: A party must do more than simply show some technical error has occurred before he will be entitled to a reversal on the exclusion or admission of evidence; there must be some showing of prejudice. [F]or a case to be reversed on the admission or exclusion of evidence, it must result in prejudice and harm or adversely affect a substantial right of a party. Terrain Enter., Inc. v. Mockbee, 654 So.2d 1122, 1131 (Miss.1995) (citing Hansen v. State, 592 So.2d 114 (Miss.1991)); Russell v. State, 607 So.2d 1107, 1114 (Miss.1992); Miss. R. Evid. 103(a). Pham v. State, 716 So.2d 1100, 1102 (Miss.1998). Thorson has failed to demonstrate to this Court any prejudice he suffered as a result of the trial court's exclusion of this hearsay testimony. The trial court offered Thorson another avenue to elicit such testimony; however, Thorson did not take advantage. Therefore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to allow Stanley to testify regarding the missing person's report. This issue is without merit.