Opinion ID: 1115806
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: was it reversible error because the prosecution failed to provide discovery as ordered?

Text: Watts had filed a discovery motion and obtained an order granting him, among other things, a list of the witnesses the state intended to offer. Watts contends that reversible error occurred since the name of Charlie McVey did not appear on the list and that the defense was not otherwise notified that he would be called. He relies upon Box v. State, 437 So.2d 19 (Miss. 1983). A Charles McVey was called to testify as the last witness in the state's case in chief. Obviously his name is the same as that of who the victim said shot him, and who the evidence tended to show as being the name that Charles Watts used when introduced to the victim and his wife. The real McVey who testified was a narcotics officer on the coast and whose testimony was offered to show that he did not know Tommy McDonnell, and that it certainly was not him that the victim was referring to. McVey's name does not appear on the witness list provided by the state, nor was he called on the first trial. However, defense counsel did not object when McVey was called, nor did appellant raise the point in his post-trial motion for j.n.o.v. or a new trial. This Court recently fully adopted the guidelines for use when discoverable but undisclosed evidence is offered by the state. The first guideline is relevant here. It is as follows: In cases where the state seeks to offer into evidence that which it ought to have disclosed pursuant to a discovery request but didn't, it is first incumbent upon the defendant to make timely objection. If this be done, the court's initial response should be a directive that the defense be given a reasonable opportunity to interview the newly discovered witness, to examine the newly produced documents, photographs, etc. The court should not be grudging in this allowance. Gray and Nations v. State, 487 So.2d 1304 (Miss. 1986). This assignment is barred because Watts failed to object to the testimony of McVey. Furthermore, the record indicates that on two occasions during the case the state verbally informed the court and Watts that Charlie McVey was a remaining witness that they intended to call. On the first occasion the defense counsel had asked who the state still had that they intended to call. The prosecutor replied, Charlie McVey. Defense counsel then responded, well, I knew that. This assignment is without merit.