Opinion ID: 1757479
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Whether the trial court erred in denying Appellant's discovery motion.

Text: Eakes claims he was denied access to the three child witnesses and April's doctor because the children were in the custody of the county human services department. The State contends the trial court was correct in finding that it had no authority to issue the order requested by Eakes because a witness may refuse to discuss his testimony with defense counsel prior to trial.
When the pre-trial motions were heard, Eakes requested that the trial court issue an order instructing the Myers children to talk to defense counsel. The trial court noted that Eakes knew the children were in custody of DHS and that he knew which social worker was assigned to the case; therefore, defense counsel could certainly attempt to contact and question the children. However, the trial court stated that the legal guardian or custodian (DHS) could deny the request and the court could not order witnesses to confer with counsel prior to trial. Eakes also requested that the court order April's physician to talk to defense counsel and provide April's medical records. The State had not seen the child's medical records and did not intend to use them at trial. Nonetheless, the trial judge concluded that April's venereal disease would be an issue at trial; therefore, he ordered that the medical records be obtained and furnished to the court for inspection. The trial court would then review the records and furnish anything of relevance to defense counsel. Eakes still wanted an order requiring that the doctor talk to him; the trial court refused, stating there was no authority for such an order. The trial court also ordered the State to provide the defense with any statements relevant to this case made by April to the treating physician. While it is true that the defense cannot be denied access to prospective witnesses, Lacy v. State, 629 So.2d 591, 593 (Miss. 1993), the circuit court clearly lacks authority to require a witness to talk to defense counsel prior to trial. Tolbert v. State, 511 So.2d 1368, 1378 (Miss. 1987); Boches v. State, 506 So.2d 254, 261 (Miss. 1987). The trial judge in the instant case correctly determined that he lacked the authority to issue the orders requested by Eakes. There is no merit to this issue.