Opinion ID: 1757479
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Linda Palmer's Testimony

Text: According to Eakes, Palmer's testimony regarding June Myers was unduly prejudicial pursuant to M.R.E. 403, i.e., that relevant testimony may be excluded if substantially outweighed by unfair prejudice. Eakes further contends that the trial judge failed to make a finding that the probative value of this testimony outweighed its prejudicial value. Despite his failure to object at trial, Eakes now claims admission of this testimony requires reversal. The State contends that the content of Palmer's testimony, to which Eakes now objects, was first brought out by the defense on cross-examination of June. Eakes also complains of Palmer's testimony regarding statements made by June Myers to the effect that the child was afraid of Eakes and that Eakes had stuck his fingers down her throat. Also specified by Eakes as inadmissible is Palmer's telling of June's reaction to the anatomically-correct dolls. This subject, too, was first introduced by Eakes. When cross-examining June, he asked whether she had ever told Palmer that Eakes had done anything to her (June). [17] When June said she had, Eakes asked if it was true. June admitted it was not. Eakes' attack of June's credibility opened the door for the State to further explore the matter on redirect. Crenshaw v. State, 520 So.2d 131, 133 (Miss. 1988). When Linda Palmer took the stand, the State elicited testimony regarding June's fear of Eakes, June's reaction to the naked adult male doll, her allegations of Eakes' having stuck his fingers down her throat. Palmer also stated that she felt that [June] was being truthful about Eakes' having stuck his fingers down her throat. However, Eakes did not object to this at trial. Thus, because the defense opened the door for such testimony by Palmer, and because the defense failed to lodge a contemporaneous objection, Eakes' argument on this point lacks merit. See Crenshaw v. State, 520 So.2d 131, 133 (Miss. 1988). Robinson v. State, 585 So.2d 735, 737 (Miss. 1991); M.R.E. 103(a)(1). Eakes claims Wrencher's and Scarbrough's testimony should have been excluded pursuant to M.R.E. 404(b) and 608(b) because it introduced evidence of Eakes' character by use of prior bad acts and specific instances of conduct which were unduly prejudicial.