Opinion ID: 1800634
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: admission of evidence of other offenses.

Text: ¶ 15. Hodges next argues that the trial court erred in allowing the State to improperly cross-examine him and his witnesses presented during the sentencing hearing. Each witness will be discussed separately. ¶ 16. Lisa Hodges  Lisa Hodges is Quintez Hodges's sister. During cross-examination by the State she was asked about Quintez escaping from jail twice. Hodges argues that evidence of escape attempts was not relevant to any of the statutory aggravating factors and was improper rebuttal to Lisa Hodges's testimony. Hodges argues that it could have improperly influenced the jury as to sentencing because of the implication of future dangerousness. As the State points out, this issue was raised by Hodges on direct appeal. This Court stated: The prosecution has no right to introduce evidence of wrongs and bad acts to prove Hodges's character or to show he acted in conformity therewith, unless it is competent rebuttal evidence in the face of the showing of Hodges's 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's sister about a prior bad act, the two attempts to escape jail. On direct examination, Hodges's sister testified that Hodges's 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. Hodges, 912 So.2d at 755. ¶ 17. Chris Hodges  Chris Hodges is Quintez Hodges's nephew. During cross-examination by the State Chris was questioned about Quintez Hodges's arrests for burglary of a school in 1997 and burglary and attempted sexual battery in 1998. Quintez Hodges argues that evidence of these arrests was not relevant to any statutory aggravating factor, nor was it proper rebuttal to Chris Hodges's testimony. As the State points out, this issue was raised by Hodges on direct appeal. This Court stated: As stated previously, the prosecution has no right to introduce evidence of wrongs and bad acts to prove Hodges's character or to show he acted in conformity therewith, unless it is competent rebuttal evidence in the face of the showing of Hodges's good character made on direct examination of this witness. Hansen, 592 So.2d at 148. On direct examination, Chris testified that Hodges's 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. Hodges, 912 So.2d at 755. ¶ 18. Quintez Hodges  Quintez Hodges testified at the sentencing phase that he had been charged with one other crime, the burglary of Cora Johnson's house. On cross-examination the State questioned Hodges about other charges, and introduced into evidence an indictment in cause no. 98-432-CR1, charging Hodges with breaking into the dwelling house of Tasha Martin and attempted sexual battery of Tasha Martin. Hodges did not object to the introduction of the indictment at trial. Hodges now argues that this amounted to plain error, as an indictment cannot be used for impeachment or rebuttal. As the State points out, this issue was raised by Hodges on direct appeal. This Court stated: Although the introduction of the indictment was improper impeachment evidence, such error was harmless. The jury, on many previous occasions throughout the sentencing phase, heard testimony regarding these other crimes. Hodges was not denied a substantial right by the introduction of this indictment. The State argues that the introduction of this indictment was not improper because it was used to rebut Hodges's inferences and direct statements that his prior criminal history was insignificant. Indeed, this Court has held that the State is allowed to rebut mitigating evidence through cross-examination, introduction of rebuttal evidence or by argument. Wiley v. State, 750 So.2d 1193, 1202 (Miss.1999) (quoting Turner v. State, 732 So.2d 937 at 950). Notwithstanding the procedural bar, this issue is without merit. Hodges, 912 So.2d at 757-58. ¶ 19. The State argues that all three parts of this issue were raised on direct appeal and Hodges is barred by res judicata from raising the issue here again on the post-conviction level. Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(3). This Court agrees that Hodges is barred by res judicata from again raising this issue.