Opinion ID: 1866240
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Did the lower court err in permitting the prosecution to cross-examine the defendant's mother about his prior juvenile record?

Text: During the defense's direct questioning of appellant's mother, Mary Lewis, the following occurred: Q. Why did he not finish the tenth grade? A. Well, Connie, he stopped to look for work and he would get odd jobs, you know, in order to help me and he would cut yards or whatever he could find to do and he would bring me most of the money. Sometimes he would give it all to me. And he was real good about helping me. I never had no trouble out of him and when I had surgery, he stayed with me all the time. He cooked and waited on me and saw that I got my medicine. He was a good child and I don't know why he got into this. I reckon because he was with the wrong person, 'cause I never had no trouble out of him before. (Witness sobs). [Emphasis added]. The State cross-examined Mrs. Lewis on that response, and she reiterated the appellant had been into different little things a good while ago. The prosecuting attorney asked what little things she was talking about that he had been involved in, and she said he had gotten into something and he was released to his parents three or four times. She was interrogated in detail about those several times, but nothing was indicated as to what the matters involved or how they were disposed of in the Youth Court. Appellant contends that the Youth Court Act prohibits use of an adjudication of the Youth Court for impeachment purposes in any court. The contention is correct, except that the right of a defendant or prosecutor in criminal proceedings is preserved to show bias or interest. Here, no reference was made to Youth Court proceedings or action, and no attempt was made to introduce any adjudication order. Also, the questions asked were proper to test the recollection of the witness and was in rebuttal. Allison v. State, 274 So.2d 678 (Miss. 1973); Kearney v. State, 68 Miss. 233, 8 So. 292 (1890).