Opinion ID: 1656179
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the theft evidence

Text: ¶ 35. A trial judge enjoys a great deal of discretion as to the relevancy and admissibility of evidence. Unless the trial judge abuses this discretion so as to prejudice the accused, the Court will not reverse the ruling. Walker v. State, 878 So.2d 913, 915 (Miss.2004) (quoting Jefferson v. State, 818 So.2d 1099, 1104 (Miss. 2002)). ¶ 36. Shumpert sought to introduce evidence to impeach Tommy Morris, a witness for the State, contending Morris reached into the pocket of Collier and stole some money. Shumpert argues this evidence is critical because Morris, who the State portrayed as a model citizen, was the only person who testified that Shumpert repeatedly kicked Collier. Shumpert concedes that the evidence can be used only for evaluation of Morris's perception of the events under Mississippi Rules of Evidence 608, which bars its use to attack his character. Shumpert claims the evidence is admissible to show that Morris was too consumed by his thoughts about taking the money from the pockets of a dying man to think clearly enough to correctly evaluate what transpired. In its motion to suppress, the State argued that Shumpert was attempting to use this evidence to inflame the jury, rather than for impeachment purposes. The State contends that the trial court's ruling not to admit the evidence was not an abuse of discretion and no substantial right of Shumpert's was violated. ¶ 37. The trial judge ruled that under M.R.E. 608 Morris could be questioned about this alleged theft, but his answer could not be attacked with extrinsic evidence. The trial judge properly read M.R.E. 608 to allow for impeachment by specific acts, other than criminal convictions, when the character trait of truthfulness of the witness is under attack. See M.R.E. 608(b). The trial judge correctly held that this can only be done by questioning the witness, excluding the use of extrinsic evidence. See M.R.E. 608(b). Morris was questioned on cross-examination about stealing money, and he denied it. The rules of evidence do not allow further questioning. Shumpert's argument that he sought to introduce this evidence to show that Morris was too concerned with stealing to accurately perceive what happened is not persuasive. This evidence goes directly to the credibility of Morris's testimony. The trial court did not err in its ruling.