Opinion ID: 1935963
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: was the defendant denied his right to confront his accusers under the sixth amendment to the united states constitution and article iii, section 26 of the mississippi constitution?

Text: There are three assertions of error in this issue. First, Gollott argues some of Helena Fuller's testimony is hearsay. Helena Fuller testified that she began to closely observe Diane's apartment as a result of her conversation with Diane. Gollott argues that this conversation was inadmissible hearsay. Accordingly, its admission violated the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Ohio v. Roberts, 448 U.S. 56, 64-66, 100 S.Ct. 2531, 2537-39, 65 L.Ed.2d 597, 606-08 (1980); see also Balfour v. State, 598 So.2d 731, 750 (Miss. 1992) (holding inadmissible hearsay admitted constitutes reversible error). On the merits for hearsay, this Court requires an indicia of reliability for such testimony, following federal requirements. Stoop v. State, 531 So.2d 1215, 1221 (Miss. 1988) (citing Ohio v. Roberts, 448 U.S. 56, 65, 100 S.Ct. 2531, 2538-39, 65 L.Ed.2d 597, 607 (1980)). The trial court instructed Fuller to testify only to what she did as a result of her conversation with Diane. Accordingly, Fuller did not testify as to what Diane said, but only its effect. Therefore, Fuller did not testify as to hearsay. See Gayten v. State, 595 So.2d 409, 414 (Miss. 1992). Also, this Court has held that if statements are introduced for the purpose of explaining why the declarant had fear, then the statement is not hearsay. Knight v. State, 601 So.2d 403, 406 (Miss. 1992). Also, Diane's statements are questions as to whether Fuller would look over Diane's apartment. Inquiries do not assert anything. Gayten, 595 So.2d at 414. Second, Gollott argues that the jury should not have heard threats from Gollott to Diane, as related by Diane to Lonnie Hebert, an employee of Gollott and Diane. Hebert testified to a conversation with Gollott that (1) he told Gollott that (2) Diane had told him that (3) Gollott had threatened her, concerning her work schedule. Gollott objects to this statement on hearsay and relevancy. Hebert's statements concerning what Diane told him Gollott said is harmless error, because the testimony was cumulative. Jones v. State, 606 So.2d 1051, 1057 (Miss. 1992). Hebert also testified that Gollott made the identical statements concerning a threat made to Diane to Hebert himself, without objection. As a result, testimony on what Diane said is cumulative, and the hearsay question is at best harmless error. Third, this issue concerns not the admission, but the failure to admit a piece of evidence. Gollott wished to have the tape of his confession played at trial, to show the extremely upset and remorseful demeanor he had, in an effort to show he did not intentionally kill Diane, and that it was an accident. It is important to note that the State used no part of the taped interview at the trial, at all. Our caselaw states that the defendant is barred from introducing a statement made by the defendant immediately after the crime, if it is self-serving, and if the State refuses to use any of it. Tigner v. State, 478 So.2d 293, 296 (Miss. 1985); Jones v. State, 342 So.2d 735, 736-37 (Miss. 1977). This assignment is without merit.