Opinion ID: 1094862
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Denial of Cole's Right to Testify

Text: Cole says he was denied his right to testify during the guilt-finding and sentence-determination phases of his bifurcated trial, all in violation of the State and Federal constitutions. This issue was never raised at trial or on direct appeal. It could have been raised and should have been raised. Because it was not, the matter is barred via the doctrine of waiver/forfeiture. In any event, the claim fails on its merits. This Court will look to the transcript of trial to determine whether or not a defendant insisted upon taking the [witness] stand and that he was prevented from doing so by counsel or the court. Cabello v. State, 524 So.2d 313, 318 (Miss. 1988), quoting Merritt v. State, 517 So.2d 517, 520 (Miss. 1987). Here, the defendant personally decided not to testify during the guilt-finding phase. The circuit judge questioned Cole about this decision in a colloquy that consumes nine pages of the record. Following several attorney/client conferences and the questioning by the trial judge, Cole stated he did not want to testify and the decision was of his own free will. Cole was offered an opportunity to testify on two different occasions during the sentencing phase. The defendant had no problem understanding and responding to questions propounded by the circuit judge during the inquiry. In the end, Cole elected not to testify in his own behalf. Cole was given every opportunity to testify in the presence of the jury. He simply exercised his right to decline the invitation to do so.