Opinion ID: 1096134
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: the trial court erred in allowing the state to excessively lead the child witness.

Text: At trial M.J. was examined by the state. The examination was very brief and was primarily for the purpose of allowing M.J. to demonstrate with the dolls what happened to her. A majority of the questions used during the examination were leading questions. Jones contends that the use of leading questions by the state during M.J.'s testimony was so excessive that it amounted to the state's testifying and that the trial court abused its discretion in allowing the leading. Leading questions should not be used on direct examination of a witness except as may be necessary to develop his testimony. M.R.E. 611(c). The classic example for allowing the use of leading questions is where a child is a witness. Ivy v. State, 522 So.2d 740, 742 (Miss. 1988). A trial court, in its discretion, may allow leading questions, and unless there has been an abuse of discretion to the prejudice of a complaining party, it is not reversible error. Palmer v. State, 427 So.2d 111, 115 (Miss. 1983); Whitlock v. State, 419 So.2d 200, 203 (Miss. 1982); Accord, Ivy v. State, 522 So.2d at 742. Considering the examination of M.J. in its entirety, the leading questions were only used to develop M.J.'s testimony and set the stage for the demonstration with the dolls. In light of the child's age, the leading questions were by no means excessive. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in allowing the state to use leading questions. This assignment is without merit.