Opinion ID: 1919348
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Trial Court's denial of overnight recess before closing argument

Text: ś 82. After the close of evidence at the sentencing phase defense counsel requested an overnight recess in order to prepare for closing. The trial court denied this request and Hodges now claims that this denial by the trial court caused him to suffer ineffective assistance of counsel. This is not an ineffective assistance of counsel claim to be analyzed under the Strickland standard. Ordinarily, trial judges have broad discretion in determining when trials will begin and how long they will continue on any given day. Dye v. State, 498 So.2d 343, 344 (Miss.1986). There is not a bright line rule as to when a trial judge should grant a continuance or recess. Hooker v. State, 716 So.2d 1104, 1113 (Miss.1998). This Court's analysis focuses upon the unique facts of each case. Id. ś 83. This Court has held that a denial for a recess can deny the defendant the right to effective assistance of counsel. Thornton v. State, 369 So.2d 505 (Miss. 1979). In Thornton, the State rested its case-in-chief at about 6:00 p.m. and the defense counsel moved for a recess stating that he was exceedingly tired. Id. at 506. The trial judge refused to grant the defendant's request for a recess. Id. Subsequently, the defendant was forced to put on his defense which lasted until approximately 10:00 p.m. Id. The parties had to then submit their objections to the submitted jury instructions and then make closing arguments. Id. Both sides were given one hour for closing. Id. After making closing arguments, the defendant's attorney became ill and was rushed to the hospital. Id. The case sub judice is clearly distinguishable. ś 84. There is no evidence in the record of an undue burden upon counsel in continuing the case to conclusion and no indication in the record that the jury had difficulty in proceeding with the case. The culpability phase began on September 10, 2001, and the verdict was rendered on the 13th at 1 p.m. The sentencing phase began at 2 p.m. on September 13, 2001, which was only the third day of the trial. Before closing argument in the sentencing phase, the jury requested pizza for dinner. The jury was then sent to deliberate and was also given their dinner at this time. The case was submitted to the jury around dinner time. The record does not indicate when closing arguments began but if the case was submitted to the jury around dinnertime it could not have been that late. The jurors never indicated that they were tired and did not want to continue. As stated above, trial judges have broad discretion in determining when trials will begin and how long they will continue on any given day. Based upon the facts in the record, the trial judge did not abuse his discretion in denying defense counsel's request for an overnight recess before closing arguments.