Opinion ID: 1659705
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: whether the prosecution improperly commented on the defendant's failure to testify in the sentencing phase

Text: In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall ... not be compelled to give evidence against himself. Mississippi Constitution of 1890, art. III, § 26. The United States Constitution grants the same right when it states that No person... shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself. U.S. Const. amend. V. This right is violated by a direct statement regarding the defendant's decision not to testify, or a comment which could reasonably be construed by a jury to be a comment about the defendant's failure to testify. Griffin v. State, 557 So.2d 542, 552 (Miss. 1990); Jimpson v. State, 532 So.2d 985, 991 (Miss. 1988); Livingston v. State, 525 So.2d 1300, 1305-08 (Miss. 1988). Holly testified in the guilt phase of the trial; however, he did not take the witness stand in the sentencing phase. The testimony during the guilt phase was stipulated by both counsels to be used in the sentencing phase. During closing argument at the sentencing phase, the prosecution made several comments regarding Holly's testimony, demeanor, and lack of remorse at trial. No contemporaneous objection was made; however, after the jury began deliberations, Holly moved for a mistrial on the basis that the prosecution commented directly on his failure to testify at trial. His motion was subsequently denied. On appeal, Holly argues that the prosecution improperly commented on his failure to testify in violation of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, as well as art. III, § 26 of the Mississippi Constitution. The State maintains that Holly is procedurally barred from raising this claim on appeal since he failed to move for a mistrial during the closing argument, waiting instead until the jury retired for deliberations. A contemporaneous objection to improper argument during trial is required to preserve the issue for appeal. Foster v. State, 639 So.2d 1263, 1290 (Miss. 1994) (plurality); see also Whigham v. State, 611 So.2d 988, 995 (Miss. 1992) (procedural bar applies unless error involves serious violation of constitutional right). We find that the defense failed to contemporaneously object and is therefore procedurally barred. Alternatively, this assignment of error is without merit. Although Holly chose not to testify during the sentencing portion of the trial, the record shows that he testified during the guilt phase of the trial. All of the testimony introduced by the defense, including that of the defendant, was then carried over to the sentencing phase pursuant to motions from both sides who stipulated to its use. See Hill v. State, 432 So.2d 427, 441 (Miss. 1983) (there is no error in permitting jury to consider during sentencing phase all previous evidence introduced at guilt phase). The prosecution is always free to discuss at length the testimony of the State's witnesses and why they are credible. Whigham, 611 So.2d at 995. Nor is a prosecuting attorney prevented from commenting on the appearance of the defendant as it existed during his testimony. Reed v. State, 197 So.2d 811, 815 (Miss. 1967); see also Knox v. State, 502 So.2d 672, 675 (Miss. 1987) (prosecution may comment on demeanor of defendant who personally subjects victim to extensive cross-examination). It is apparent that each of the comments made by the prosecution were either arguments related to the credibility of the defendant's testimony and his demeanor, or in rebuttal to the arguments made by defense counsel during the sentencing phase. Holly placed his credibility before the jury by testifying during the guilt phase of the trial, and then stipulated to its use in the sentencing phase. See generally Jordan v. State, 464 So.2d 475, 482 (Miss. 1985) (once defendant testifies to merits, prosecution is free to comment upon defendant's failure to explain the facts in evidence). The comments made by the prosecution, when read in context of Holly's testimony at trial, concerned his credibility and demeanor. While we hold that this error is procedurally barred, we also find it to be without merit.