Opinion ID: 1092881
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Was reversible error committed in failing to follow our precedent in Young v. State, 731 So.2d 1145 (Miss. 1999)?

Text: ¶ 11. In Young, we determined that the right of confrontation extends to and includes the right to fully cross-examine the witness [testifying against the defendant] on every material point relating to the issue to be determined that would have a bearing on the credibility of the witness and the weight and worth of his testimony. Id. at 1151 (citations omitted). In Young, as well as in the case before us, the accused sought to impeach the State's key witness with evidence of a prior conviction under M.R.E. 609(a)(1). Although the prior conviction in Young, and again in the case, met the basic requirements of M.R.E. 609(a)(1) inasmuch as the crime was punishable by death or imprisonment in excess of one year, the impeachment was not allowed. See id. at 1150-51. ¶ 12. To deny the accused the right to explore fully the credibility of a witness testifying against him, is to deny him the Constitutional right of a full confrontation. Id. Finding that the trial judge in Young abused his discretion by excluding evidence of the State's chief witness' prior conviction, we reversed and remanded for a new trial with instructions to allow evidence of the witness's prior conviction for impeachment purposes. Being unable to distinguish the facts in Young from the facts in the case sub judice, we reverse White's conviction and remand for a new trial so that White may introduce evidence of Shedd's prior felony drug conviction for impeachment purposes.