Opinion ID: 1778765
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Lie Detector

Text: ś 88. Earl Jordan was the State's witness to whom Manning allegedly confessed. On redirect examination by the prosecution, Jordan was asked if he had volunteered to take a lie detector test. To that, the defense objected, and the objection was sustained by the court. Thereafter, the court reviewed this Court's decision in Conner v. State, 632 So.2d 1239, 1257-59 (Miss.1993), and reversed his ruling. Defense counsel then asked if he would be allowed to recross Jordan on that point alone, and the judge refused. Manning argues that this testimony was prejudicial to his defense, and that at the very least he should have been allowed to recross Jordan. ś 89. In Conner, this Court held that neither the results of a polygraph nor the fact that one was actually taken may be admitted into evidence. Conner, 632 So.2d at 1257. However, in that case, this Court cited Pittman v. State, 236 Miss. 592, 111 So.2d 415 (1959), where the reference to a polygraph on redirect, where the results were not disclosed was not reversible error. Based on Pittman, Stringer v. State, 454 So.2d 468 (Miss. 1984)(where the mere mention of the failure to submit to an examination could not be reversible error), and Miss.R.Evid. 608, the Court held that introduction into evidence of a witness's agreement to take a polygraph was not error. Conner, 632 So.2d at 1259. ś 90. In the case before us, the prosecutor made no attempt to disclose to the jury whether a test was actually taken or what the results of the test were. He only elicited that Jordan had volunteered to take one. This was proper redirect after Jordan's credibility had been attacked on cross-examination by the defense. ś 91. The defense argues that even if the lie detector testimony was proper, it should have been allowed to recross Jordan about it. We find that the judge did not abuse his discretion in denying recross. The defense could have gained nothing from recross. Under the caselaw in this state, the defense could not have asked Jordan the results of his test or even if he actually took one. Recross examination may be limited by the trial judge in his sound discretion. Hubbard v. State, 437 So.2d 430, 434 (Miss. 1983). There is no merit to this claim, and no reversible error.