Opinion ID: 1091604
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: whether the trial court erred in allowing the prosecution to withhold an exculpatory statement by the defendant from its case in chief.

Text: Appellant Kelly made a statement to Terry Police Officer Lee Roland minutes after the shooting. The statement was introduced by the prosecution in rebuttal. In this statement, the appellant indicated to Mr. Roland that his gun had accidentally discharged. Appellant contends that since it was used in rebuttal, it was error for the State to withhold such an exculpatory statement from its main case. This argument is not predicated on the state's failure to disclose the exculpatory statement to the defense, but the argument is based on the time it was introduced. There is no legal authority for this novel assignment of error. Jones v. State, 342 So.2d 735 (Miss. 1977), upon which the appellant relies does not support his argument. Jones holds that where the State introduces evidence of statements by the defendant made immediately after the crime, the defendant is entitled to bring out the entire statement. However, Jones v. State recognizes that the State is not in any way obligated to introduce the statement. See also Collins v. State, 148 Miss. 250, 114 So. 480 (1927). This assignment of error is without merit.