Opinion ID: 1667410
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: did the trial court err in interrupting and excluding the proffered testimony of mr. abraham?

Text: This assignment is also based on the assertion that the prosecution's witness misled the defense about the date of the alleged sale of marijuana. Defense counsel attempted to testify at trial about what Otha Cole had told him in his office four days prior to trial. Gaston asserts that the trial court committed prejudicial error in excluding the testimony under § 26, Miss. Constitution 1890 which provides for compulsory process for obtaining witnesses. Clemons v. State, 470 So.2d 653, 655-656 (Miss. 1985). That is the correct statement of the law but has nothing to do with the issue before us. Mr. Abraham was sworn in and was being examined by co-counsel when the trial judge asked counsel to approach the bench. In chambers, outside the hearing of the jury, the judge stated that an attorney normally may not testify in a case he is involved in for ethical reasons, but noted that there were exceptions and he was willing to hear anything counsel had to offer. After a brief discussion, the testimony of Mr. Abraham was withdrawn and the state rested its case. The record provides as follows: BY THE COURT: I was calling this to your attention, and thought that I was maybe being helpful in that maybe you had overlooked this. BY MR. BURGOON: I may have, your Honor, therefore, I withdraw the testimony.       BY MR. BURGOON: We will withdraw the testimony.       BY MR. BURGOON: Your Honor, the defense will withdraw the testimony of Mr. Abraham. At this point, your Honor, the defense feels no need to call any further witnesses and it rests. (Emphasis Added). Gaston argues that his attorney's testimony would have impeached the veracity of Otha Cole and not to allow it before the jury was reversible error. We do not have to answer the question of how the jury may have weighed the evidence of the testimony of the confidential informant against the testimony of a member of the bar because the trial judge never refused to allow Mr. Abraham to testify. The testimony was withdrawn by defense counsel. This being the case the trial judge can scarcely be held to be in error. There is no merit to this assignment of error. CONVICTION OF SALE OF MARIJUANA OF LESS THAN ONE OUNCE AND SENTENCE OF THREE (3) YEARS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND PAY A FINE OF $3,000.00 AFFIRMED. ROY NOBLE LEE, C.J., HAWKINS and DAN M. LEE, P.JJ., and PRATHER, ROBERTSON, ANDERSON, PITTMAN and BLASS, JJ., concur.