Opinion ID: 1770220
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the trial court erred in allowing into evidence inflammatory and prejudicial statements by the state's witnesses.

Text: The relevancy and admissibility of evidence are largely within the discretion of the trial court and reversal may be had only where that discretion has been abused. Johnston v. State, 567 So.2d 237, 238 (Miss. 1990). Prejudicial evidence that has no probative value is always inadmissible. McFee v. State, 511 So.2d 130, 134 (Miss. 1987). The cases cited by Roberson on his appeal are inapplicable as they deal with references to other crimes or acts. Rule 403 of the Mississippi Rules of Evidence deals with the exclusion of relevant evidence if its probative value is outweighed by unfair prejudice. The rule requires that probative value of the evidence be weighed against unfair prejudice. The record indicates that the trial judge weighed whatever prejudicial effect the statements may have had against their probative value. The probative value of the statements by the officers is that there was evidence that drug transactions were going on from Apartment C-9 and that the cocaine was possibly possessed with the intent to sell. The trial judge did not abuse his discretion and this assignment of error is without merit.