Opinion ID: 1918397
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: whether the trial court erred in excluding the testimony of thomas earl stevens.

Text: ¶ 11. On May 7, 1996, Karen was residing with her mother, Linda Trott, and Mark was residing with his mother, Jane Chevalier. On this date, two months after the alleged offense, Jane Chevalier's caller identification device reflected that a call was made from Linda Trott's residence to Jane Chevalier's residence. Mark had a Prentiss police officer, Thomas Earl Stevens, observe the caller identification unit to verify that the call had been placed. Chevalier contends that the fact that Karen may have called him two months after the incident, and after the court had instructed her not to contact him, establishes that she sent him mixed signals. He argues that this evidence is relevant because it goes to the victim's state of mind. The trial court excluded Stevens' testimony opining that it did not meet the relevancy requirements of Rule 401 of the Mississippi Rules of Evidence. The trial judge cogently noted that Chevalier failed to demonstrate that it was Karen who placed the call. We agree with the judge. The fact that a phone call was made from Linda Trott's residence to the Chevalier residence has little relevance, particularly since the defense could not establish that Karen made the phone call. Thus, we affirm the trial court on this issue.