Opinion ID: 1690126
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 17

Heading: was jordan prevented from introducing relevant mitigation evidence?

Text: ś 119. Jordan alleges that the trial court refused to allow him to introduce testimony by Parchman official Estelle Denley that, while she never had any problems with Jordan, she did with other inmates. Evidence of the behavior of other inmates was irrelevant, and the State's objection thereto was properly sustained. ś 120. Jordan also alleges that the trial court refused to allow introduction of testimony of Jordan's father concerning whether he ever saw Jordan's children. Evidence of a criminal defendant's death and the effect it would have on the life of his family is not relevant and is properly excluded since such evidence does not impact on the defendant's character, the record, or the circumstances of the crime. Wilcher v. State, 697 So.2d 1123, 1133-34 (Miss.1997). Similarly, the testimony of Jordan's cousin, Shirley Thames, was properly excluded for that same reason. Thames proposed to testify about the problems that Jordan's crime created for his family and for his relationship with his wife. Such testimony is not allowed under Wilcher. Also, Thames wanted to testify to Jordan's reputation in the community prior to 1976. This testimony was properly excluded since she did not live in the same community at that time. ś 121. After Thames testified that Jordan was brought up in church by his parents, the State objected on the basis of hearsay, and the court sustained the objection. Thames could not so testify from personal knowledge, so the testimony was properly excluded. See M.R.E. 602. Moreover, Jordan was not prejudiced by the exclusion of Thames' proffered testimony because Jordan's brother testified without objection that he and Jordan: [grew] up together going to church together. We went to Sunday School together.... We attended Youth Rallies in High School quite a bit. We went all over the state with the youth rallies, which in the Church of God just youth groups get together for rallies and conventions and summer camps.... I know his family was a church going family because when I would go up and visit with them they were quite regular in the church there. He sang in the choir; his wife sang in the choir. He was an usher in the church. And when they came down to see us, we would go to church. And I know every time we would meet in Hattiesburg at my parents' home, we always went to church together. So, our family has always been very religious. I would say every time we were together, if it was a Sunday we went to church. ś 122. Therefore, this issue is without merit.