Opinion ID: 1723327
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: denial of funds for out-of-state witnesses

Text: The record reveals that on motion by defense counsel, the court awarded expenses to counsel to travel to New York and interview prospective witnesses. On August 28, 1982, defense counsel filed a motion for compulsory process and attendance fees, as well as travel expenses, for twenty-one prospective witnesses. Attached to the motion is an appendix summarizing the content of their knowledge of Johnson. From the summary of their proposed testimony, it is clear they were character witnesses. While under the holding of the United States Supreme Court in Eddings v. Oklahoma, 455 U.S. 104, 113-115, 102 S.Ct. 869, 876-877, 71 L.Ed.2d 1 (1982), it might have been proper in the sentencing phase of the trial to have such witnesses testify on Johnson's background, that case is not authority for the proposition that a state is required to furnish travel expenses for out-of-state prospective character witnesses. Moreover, the State of Mississippi is without authority to compel the attendance of out-of-state defense witnesses in a criminal case. See: Diddlemeyer v. State, 234 So.2d 292, 295 (Miss. 1970). Under Article 3, Section 26 of our Constitution an accused is entitled to compulsory process for witnesses in his favor. The state's only power, however, is to reach witnesses within the state. In any event, before a circuit judge should be critized, defense counsel at a minimum, was under a duty to furnish detailed statements in affidavit form from each of these proposed witnesses as to what their testimony would be in the trial of the case. In this case the only thing presented to the circuit judge was a summary by counsel, not sworn to, as to what these witnesses might testify.