Opinion ID: 1919348
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Admission of Prior Bad Acts During Cross-Examination

Text: ś 33. During direct examination, Hodges' sister, Lisa Hodges, testified that Hodges went to church and Sunday school and that he was a good kid that helped other people. She stated that Hodges did not fight and he obeyed his parents. She characterized him as being a nice, young boy growing up who had respect for his elders and was not violent towards other people. On cross-examination, the State sought to discredit this testimony. Hodges' sister was asked whether she knew that he had escaped from the jail twice and whether escaping from jail shows any respect. She stated that no it did not show respect for authority. ś 34. The State argues that this asserted error is procedurally barred because defense counsel never raised these issues during the sentencing phase. During the cross-examination, the defense counsel did object to this line of questioning. However, their objection did not state that they were objecting because it was improper character evidence. The defense, when he objected, said we are going to object to that testimony. That's nothing that's been revealed anywhere. This Court has stated that when the objecting party does not state with some degree of certainty the ground on which the objection is made, and failure to articulate some other available ground acts as a waiver as to the unstated basis. Materials Transp. Co. v. Newman, 656 So.2d 1199, 1203 (Miss. 1995). Failure of the defense counsel to articulate the ground upon which the objection is made, acts as a waiver. However, because this issue is raised in the direct appeal of a capital case, this Court will consider the merits of Hodges' argument. ś 35. The prosecution has no right to introduce evidence of wrongs and bad acts to prove Hodges' character or to show he acted in conformity therewith, unless it is competent rebuttal evidence in the face of the showing of Hodges' good character made on direct examination of this witness. Hansen v. State, 592 So.2d 114, 148 (Miss.1991) (citing Simpson v. State, 497 So.2d 424, 428-29 (Miss.1986); Winters v. State, 449 So.2d 766, 771 (Miss. 1984)). M.R.E. 404(b) provides that: Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show that he acted in conformity therewith. It may, however, be admissible for other purposes such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident. The State questioned Hodges' sister about a prior bad act, the two attempts to escape jail. On direct examination, Hodges' sister testified that Hodges' character was good, that he respected his elders, did not disobey his parents, and that he was not a violent person and never fought. Her direct examination testimony opened the door to the State to ask these questions. There was testimony on direct that he was a good boy that respected his elders. The introduction of the two prior escapes from the jail was not error.
ś 36. During direct examination Chris Hodges testified that Hodges was soft spoken, easy going, never fought, was never disruptive and he never defended himself. Chris stated that Hodges was the type of person who would avoid conflict. He stated that Hodges was a good person who would not have done this type of crime. Chris claimed that Hodges' troubles were the direct result of his relationship with Cora. Chris specifically testified that Hodges did not have problems with authorities prior to the time that he got arrested and charged with burglary. On cross-examination, the State sought to discredit this testimony. Chris stated that Hodges did not have problems with the authorities prior to his burglary of Cora's house. He also stated that his problems stemmed from his relationship with Cora. On cross the State asked whether he knew that Hodges was charged with burglary of a school and burglary of another house along with sexual battery, all of which happened prior to the burglary of Cora's house and had nothing to do with his relationship with Cora. ś 37. As stated previously, the prosecution has no right to introduce evidence of wrongs and bad acts to prove Hodges' character or to show he acted in conformity therewith, unless it is competent rebuttal evidence in the face of the showing of Hodges' good character made on direct examination of this witness. Hansen, 592 So.2d at 148. On direct examination, Chris testified that Hodges' character was good and that he was not disruptive and not the kind of person to commit this crime. He also testified that Hodges did not have problems with the law prior to the charge of burglary of Cora's house and that the problems with the law stemmed from his relationship with Cora. This direct testimony opened the door to bring in the prior bad acts that occurred prior to the burglary of Cora's house and the bad acts that had nothing to do with Cora. The introduction of these other burglaries and the sexual battery was not error.
ś 38. During direct examination, Sharon Green, Hodges' sister, testified that Hodges was never any trouble, was a normal child and never got into fights. On cross examination the State asked Sharon whether she was aware of the other difficulties he had, namely the burglary of the school, and the burglary and sexual assault of another victim. However, the defense never objected to these questions during the cross-examination. The law in Mississippi mandates that counsel must contemporaneously object to inadmissible evidence in order to preserve the error for appeal. Rushing v. State, 711 So.2d 450, 453 (Miss.1998); Lester v. State, 692 So.2d 755, 795 (Miss.1997). This rule is generally applied to situations in which no objection is made during trial and the issue is subsequently raised on appeal. Crosswhite v. State, 732 So.2d 856, 861 (Miss.1998). This is exactly what we have in the case sub judice. Defense counsel never objected to this evidence during the questioning and now they are raising it on appeal. This issue has been waived and was not preserved for appeal. ś 39. Procedural bar aside, this issue is without merit. As stated previously, the prosecution has no right to introduce evidence of wrongs and bad acts to prove Hodges' character or to show he acted in conformity therewith, unless it is competent rebuttal evidence in the face of the showing of Hodges' good character made on direct examination of this witness. Hansen, 592 So.2d at 148. Her direct examination testimony opened the door to the State to ask these questions regarding Hodges' previous crimes. Furthermore, this evidence was already placed before the jury during the cross of Chris Hodges.