Davis v. StateDavis v. State
¶ 1. David Latrell Davis was indicted for capital murder while in the commission of the crime of robbery and tried in the Jackson County Circuit Court. The jury found Davis guilty of capital murder and sentenced him to life in prison without parole. Aggrieved, Davis appealed to this Court.
STATEMENT OF THE FACTS
¶ 2. On the night of September 18, 1996, Elsie McCorvey was working the 10:30 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. shift at the Circle K convenience store in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Sometime after midnight that night, after drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana with Robert Evans, Andrea Smith and others earlier in the day, Davis went to the home of Vincent Jenkins. Jenkins was keeping a shotgun for Andrea Smith, and Davis said he wanted the gun. When Jenkins refused to give him the gun, Davis made threatening remarks, and Smith called out to Jenkins to give the gun to Davis. Davis then took the gun, returned to the car where Evans had waited, and they drove to the Circle K where McCorvey was working. Davis and Evans entered the store, and Davis carried the shotgun to the counter and shot McCorvey in the chest. After trying unsuccessfully to open the cash register, Davis walked around behind the counter and took the cash register and its contents. McCorvey died only a few minutes after being shot by Davis. Davis, identified from the store video camera, was indicted, tried and found guilty of capital murder committed while in the commission of robbery. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole. He appealed to this Court raising the following issues, which are here quoted verbatim:
I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN IMPANELING THE JURY WHICH WAS DRAWN BY A SPECIAL VENIRE AND IN EXCUSING TWENTY-EIGHT JURORS OUTSIDE THE PRESENCE OF THE DEFENDANT AND COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENDANT.
II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING THE MOTION FOR CHANGE OF VENUE MADE ON BEHALF OF THE DEFENDANT.
III. IT WAS ERROR FOR THE TRIAL COURT TO RULE THAT JURORS 5, 10, 15, AND 42 WHO WERE PER-EMPTORILY STRUCK BY THE STATE WERE DONE FOR RACIALLY NEUTRAL REASONS.
IV. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN NOT ALLOWING INTO EVIDENCE DURING THE GUILT PHASE THE TWO VIDEO STATEMENTS OF THE DEFENDANT TAKEN BY THE POLICE AUTHORITIES.
V. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING THE DEFENDANT‘S MOTION IN LIMINE PERTAINING TO CERTAIN EXPECTED TESTIMONY OF THE STATE‘S WITNESS, VINCENT JENKINS, AND IN ALLOWING THIS WITNESS FOR THE STATE TO TESTIFY CONCERNING THREATS MADE BY THE DEFENDANT TO HIM.
VI. THE DEFENDANT WAS DENIED HIS SIXTH AMENDMENT RIGHT OF EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL.
Finding no reversible error, we affirm.
DISCUSSION
I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN IMPANELING THE JURY WHICH WAS DRAWN BY A SPECIAL VENIRE AND IN EXCUSING TWENTY-EIGHT JURORS OUTSIDE THE PRESENCE OF THE DEFENDANT AND COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENDANT.
¶ 3. Davis argued that the trial judge excused some twenty-eight1 members of the special venire before he or his counsel were present and thus the trial judge should have quashed the entire jury panel. Citing Strickland v. State, 477 So.2d 1347 (Miss.1985), Davis argues that he had an absolute right to be present during the impaneling of the jury. His reliance on Strickland is misplaced, however. The trial judge in Strickland was notified “during pretrial proceedings” that a prospective juror had been contacted by a friend of the defendant. The judge then conducted an in-chambers examination of apparently each prospective juror, outside the presence of the defendant or the attorneys for either side, to determine the extent of the contact. Three prospective jurors were extensively questioned by the judge when they indicated they had been contacted by someone who attempted to influence them in favor of the defendant. Two other prospective jurors indicated that the sheriff or his deputies had come to their homes the night before, but the judge did not question them further. One of the jurors contacted by the state ultimately served as jury foreman. Id. at 1348-49. Finding that this was a perfect example of the injustice which can result when the defendant or his counsel is excluded from a critical stage in the trial proceedings, this Court properly reversed and remanded.
¶ 4. The facts in Strickland, however, are in stark contrast to the situation before us in the present case. Here Davis was absent only during the routine statutory qualification of the prospective jurors. He was present when the State and defense counsel announced “ready” and the trial judge‘s voir dire of the prospective jurors began and for the remainder of the trial.
¶ 5. In the present case, the record reflects that the customary procedure of the Jackson County Circuit Court is to begin the qualifying process for a special venire at 7:45 a.m., even though the docket reflects
¶ 6. The record is not clear as to the exact point at which defense counsel arrived, but he made no objection at the time, and apparently was present in the courtroom throughout most of the jury qualification process. After a brief break at the conclusion of the qualifying process the judge, Davis‘s counsel, and the prosecutors returned, and Davis was brought into the courtroom. Before the drawing of the names of prospective jurors who would be considered further by counsel for the parties, defense counsel moved to quash the jury panel, based on his initial absence and the absence of Davis during the jury qualification and excusal process. The judge denied the motion, and the drawing of the jury began.
¶ 7. In Chase v. State, 699 So.2d 521, 534 (Miss.1997) (quoting Kentucky v. Stincer, 482 U.S. 730, 745, 107 S.Ct. 2658, 2667, 96 L.Ed.2d 631 (1987)) this Court stated that “a criminal defendant `is guaranteed the right to be present at any stage of the criminal proceedings that is critical to its outcome if his presence would contribute to the fairness of the procedure.‘” As early as 1876 this Court recognized that a defendant had a right to be present during the impaneling of a jury, stating: “We think the deduction from our own decisions, and the rule of safety, is to require the presence of the prisoner in all material and important steps taken during the progress of the cause. Of these are attendance during the impaneling of the jury....” Rolls v. State, 52 Miss. 391, 396 (1876). In Lewis v. United States, 146 U.S. 370, 374, 13 S.Ct. 136,137, 36 L.Ed. 1011 (1892), the Supreme Court affirmed that voir dire is a critical stage of the criminal proceeding, during which the defendant has a constitutional right to be present, writing “where the indictment is for a felony, the trial commences at least from the time when the work of empaneling the jury begins.” See Gomez v. United States, 490 U.S. 858, 873, 109 S.Ct. 2237, 2246, 104 L.Ed.2d 923 (1989). See also Simmons v. State, 746 So.2d 302, 308 (Miss.1999), in which we stated “Voir dire” is considered by this Court as “a most critical stage” of the criminal proceedings.2
¶ 8. Davis contends that the trial court “impaneled the jury and began general voir dire of the jury and excused twenty-eight jurors” while Davis was not present. In actuality all that happened in his absence was the statutory qualifying process, during which the trial judge ascertained which, if any, of the prospective jurors should be excused or exempt based on the factors set forth in
¶ 10. Today we adopt a bright line rule that the trial judge‘s general questioning of prospective jurors, to ascertain those who are qualified for, or exempt from, jury service is not a critical stage of the criminal proceedings during which a criminal defendant is guaranteed a right to be present. Such statutory matters as whether a prospective juror is a resident of the county, is ill or has an illness in the family, or is over 65 years of age are not matters which necessitate a defendant‘s presence. A defendant may choose to be present during this part of the proceedings, but has no guaranteed right to be present.
¶ 11. Regardless of whether it is called “impaneling the jury” or “voir dire” or otherwise, the critical stage of jury selection begins at the time when the trial judge and counsel for the parties begin questioning the qualified prospective jurors about such matters as whether they know or are related to the defendant or the attorneys, know or have read about the case, and any other matters specific to the particular case such as opposition to the death penalty or hardship which sequestration might cause.
¶ 12. Davis‘s right to be present during the critical stages of his trial has not been violated due to his absence, and the partial absence of his attorney, during the qualifying of the prospective jurors. This issue is without merit.
II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING THE MOTION FOR CHANGE OF VENUE MADE ON BEHALF OF THE DEFENDANT.
¶ 13. Davis argued that pre-trial publicity had prejudiced several of the jurors and thus the trial court was in error when it denied his motion for a change of venue. The State argued that Davis failed to follow the statutory requirements for a change of venue and alternatively, any jurors that had been prejudiced were excused and the two that were not excused were accepted by Davis.
¶ 14. The record reflects that after voir dire, Davis moved to quash the jury panel due to pre-trial publicity. Numerous prospective jurors had read an article about the case in the local newspaper the day before the trial was to commence. Many had read newspaper accounts or seen clips of the video on TV when the shooting and robbery occurred the previous year. However, each prospective juror who responded affirmatively about seeing or hearing about the case was individually voir dired, and the trial judge allowed defense counsel and prosecution alike to question each one as extensively as desired. The judge also asked the individual jurors if the publicity would influence their decision and admonished them to disregard anything they might remember from the publicity. The trial judge denied defense counsel‘s motion to quash, finding that the pre-trial publicity was not sufficiently prejudicial to require him to quash the entire panel and pointing out that Davis could strike for cause those who may have formed an opinion. Davis then moved for a change of venue under URCCC 6.06 which was also was denied.
¶ 16. The State argued correctly that Davis did not follow the statutory guidelines in making a motion for a change of venue. Assuming arguendo that the motion for change of venue was proper, the trial court‘s ruling should still be affirmed. In White v. State, 495 So.2d 1346, 1348 (Miss.1986), there had been a series of stories in the local paper concerning a string of unsolved rapes. White, who was convicted of forcible rape, was named as a suspect in the articles. Id. at 1348. White‘s motion for a change of venue was denied. This Court affirmed. In White, only ten (10) potential jurors indicated that they had heard anything about this particular case and only three, who indicated that they had been aware of any media coverage, were returned on the final jury. Id. All prospective jurors said that they would not be affected by what they had been exposed to and would be able to render a fair and impartial verdict. Id. “A fair trial is, after all, the reason we have our system of justice; it is a paramount distinction between free and totalitarian societies.” Johnson v. State, 476 So.2d 1195, 1209 (Miss.1985). “It is fundamental and essential to our form of government that all persons charged with a crime have the right to a fair trial by an impartial jury.” White, 495 So.2d at 1348. “Mississippi law on the subject of change of venue has been primarily summarized in the cases of Cabello v. State, 490 So.2d 852 (Miss.1986); Wiley v. State, 484 So.2d 339 (Miss.1986); Fisher v. State, 481 So.2d 203 (Miss.1985); Johnson v. State, 476 So.2d 1195 (Miss.1985); and the cases incorporated therein.” White, 495 So.2d at 1348. These cases focus on the presence of extraordinary and intensely prejudicial pretrial publicity. The accused has a right to a change of venue when it is doubtful that an impartial jury can be obtained. Id. “[U]pon proper application, there arises a presumption that such sentiment exists; and, the State then bears the burden of rebutting that presumption.” Id. “While the presumption may be rebutted during voir dire, in some circumstances pretrial publicity can be so damaging and the presumption so great, that no voir dire can rebut it.” Id. (citing Johnson, 476 So.2d at 1211). “We have set forth certain elements which, when present would serve as an indicator to the trial court as to when the presumption is irrefutable.” Id. These elements are:
(1) Capital cases based on considerations of a heightened standard of review;
(2) Crowds threatening violence towards the accused;
(3) An inordinate amount of media coverage, particularly in cases of
a) serious crimes against influential families;
b) serious crimes against public officials;
c) serial crimes;
d) crimes committed by a black defendant upon a white victim;
e) where there is an inexperienced trial counsel.
Baldwin v. State, 732 So.2d 236, 241 (Miss. 1999).
¶ 17. Applying these elements to the instant case, it is clear that Davis cannot claim that the presumption of prejudice here is irrefutable. The publicity in question cannot be described as “inordinate,” especially when compared to White. Here, there was an article in the paper in September of 1996, and an article in the paper the day before trial as well as news reports on radio and television. In denying the motion to quash the venire, the trial judge stated that “it‘s remarkable that most of the people had formed no such opinions and knew very little about the case, really, from a factual standpoint.” “And to the contrary, it seems that the great majority of the people on this panel would be fair and impartial, or stated that they could.”
¶ 18. In the case sub judice, the article in the paper was not as damaging as the articles published in White, Johnson and Fisher. This Court has stated that when the news media have heavily reported a case, the lower courts should be prepared to change venue. Johnson, 476 So.2d at 1215. However, as in Gray, this case was not “saturated with publicity” as was the case in Fisher and Johnson. Gray v. State, 728 So.2d at 65. (Gray had 11 articles; Fisher and Johnson each had over 60 articles). The venire was questioned as to their ability to make a decision based on the evidence, the law and if they had prejudged the case as to guilt or innocence. Individual voir dire was conducted with those potential jurors who had read the news articles. The record indicates that the impaneled jury members affirmatively stated that they could fairly and impartially serve as jurors. We have faith that trial judges are ever mindful of the fact that “when faced with a case which has been heavily reported in the news media, our trial courts must be prepared to readily grant a change of venue.” Johnson, 476 So.2d at 1214. “Judicial efficiency and economy would be better served by a fair trial initially.” Id. “The fair way is the safe way, and the safe way is the best way in every criminal prosecution.” Id. While there was some publicity in the case sub judice, there was not enough to prejudice the defendant such that he could not receive a fair trial. The trial judge took the necessary steps to insure that the defendant‘s right to a fair trial was preserved. There is nothing to indicate that the jurors were not fair and impartial. “Where ... the evidence is conflicting on the question of whether or not the defendant could receive a fair and impartial trial, this Court will generally defer to the considered opinion of the trial judge.” Burrell v. State, 613 So.2d 1186, 1190 (Miss.1993). The trial judge did not abuse his discretion on this issue.
III. IT WAS ERROR FOR THE TRIAL COURT TO RULE THAT JURORS 5, 10, 15, AND 42 WHO WERE PEREMPTORILY STRUCK BY THE STATE WERE DONE FOR RACIALLY NEUTRAL REASONS.
¶ 19. After both sides had made their strikes for cause, the State proceeded with its peremptory strikes, initially leaving two black jurors on the panel and striking three. Davis is a black male, and he objected to the State‘s striking the three black jurors, and interposed a challenge based on Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79, 106 S.Ct. 1712, 90 L.Ed.2d 69 (1986). The State cited its acceptance of the other two black jurors, and argued that the defense had failed to prove a prima facie case or a systematic exclusion of blacks. However, without waiting for a ruling by the trial court, the State proceeded to give race-neutral reasons for its strikes of the three black jurors, as follows: juror no. 5 was familiar with Davis‘s family, and also had a brother in prison; juror no. 10 was opposed to the death penalty on religious grounds and he knew people who were relatives or friends of Davis; and juror no.
¶ 20. After selection of ten of the twelve jurors was completed, Davis interposed another Batson challenge when the State struck juror no. 42. As the reason for the strike, the assistant district attorney explained: “That lady never would look at [the district attorney]. No eye contact. Just absolutely would not pay any attention to what he said. It was a horrendous situation.” After further discussion among counsel, the assistant DA stated: “I watched her, and she wasn‘t paying a bit of attention to [the district attorney] when he was questioning the jury“. The judge found this to be a race-neutral and sufficient reason to strike juror no. 42.
¶ 21. “On review, the trial court‘s determinations under Batson are afforded great deference because they are, in large part, based on credibility.” McGilberry v. State, 741 So.2d 894, 923 (Miss.1999) (citing Coleman v. State, 697 So.2d 777, 785 (Miss.1997)). “This Court will not reverse any factual findings relating to a Batson challenge unless they are clearly erroneous.” Id.
¶ 22. Davis alleges that the State made its strikes on the basis of race. The trial court examined the reasons given by the proponent, made on-the-record factual inquiry and determinations, and found the reasons for the strikes to be sufficient to meet the Batson challenges. In Davis v. State, 660 So.2d 1228, 1242 (Miss.1995), this Court reiterated a list of reasons accepted as race neutral. “Included among those reasons: age, demeanor, marital status, single with children, prosecutor distrusted juror, educational background, employment history, criminal record, young and single, friend charged with crime, unemployed with no roots in community, posture and demeanor indicated juror was hostile to being in court, juror was late, short term employment.” Id. We have also condoned a peremptory challenge against a juror who was acquainted with the defendant‘s family. Manning v. State, 735 So.2d 323, 340 (Miss.1999). We have accepted demeanor as a legitimate, race-neutral basis for a peremptory challenge. Walker v. State, 671 So.2d 581, 628 (Miss. 1995). We will not reverse a trial judge‘s factual findings on this issue unless they appear clearly erroneous or against the overwhelming weight of the evidence. Walters v. State, 720 So.2d 856, 865 (Miss. 1998). Based on this record, the trial court‘s findings on Davis‘s challenges are not clearly erroneous nor against the weight of the evidence. This issue is without merit.
IV. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN NOT ALLOWING INTO EVIDENCE DURING THE GUILT PHASE THE TWO VIDEO STATEMENTS OF THE DEFENDANT TAKEN BY THE POLICE AUTHORITIES.
¶ 24. “Under this Court‘s standard of review, the admissibility of evidence rests within the trial court‘s discretion.” Hall v. State, 611 So.2d 915, 917 (Miss. 1992). “Unless his judicial discretion is abused, this Court will not reverse his ruling.” Id. “This Court has held that the same standards used in determining the admissibility of photographs are applicable to the admission of videotapes.” Walters, 720 So.2d at 861. The trial judge must also consider Rule 403 of the Mississippi Rules of Evidence in determining the admissibility of relevant evidence which “may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence.” Id. at 861.
¶ 25. The record revealed that the State made a motion in limine to exclude the videotapes for two reasons: 1) if the defendant did not testify, then the admission of the tapes would allow the defendant to give his version of the events without being cross-examined; and 2) if the defendant did testify the tapes would be bolstering. The court sustained the State‘s motion, ruling that “as a general proposition, you cannot get the defendant‘s statement into evidence, if he doesn‘t testify, by the tape or by cross examination of the officers as to what he said.” However, the court left open the possibility of Davis later renewing his request to have the videotapes admitted into evidence, stating: “[W]ell, I don‘t know where you may be wanting to go with this and I‘m not sure that you do either at this point, so I‘ll let you, if it‘s a fuzzy area that we get into that is not clear, then bring it up outside the presence of the jury.”
¶ 26. “Evidence inadmissible for one purpose may be relevant and competent for another.” Thorson v. State, 653 So.2d 876, 889 (Miss.1994). “And, a trial judge should not be faulted for refusing to rule in advance how he will rule when he does not, indeed cannot, know the context in which evidence will be offered.” Id.
¶ 27. The trial judge left open the possibility of introducing the evidence at some point in the trial where an exception might occur. At the time the motion in limine was before the judge the defense was not sure if Davis would take the stand. In the case sub judice, the trial judge did not abuse his discretion by excluding the videotapes at this particular point in the trial. Thibodeaux v. State, 652 So.2d 153, 170 (Miss.1995). This issue is without merit.
V. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING THE DEFENDANT‘S MOTION IN LIMINE PERTAINING TO CERTAIN EXPECTED TESTIMONY OF THE STATE‘S WITNESS, VINCENT JENKINS, AND IN ALLOWING THIS WITNESS FOR THE STATE TO TESTIFY CONCERNING THREATS MADE BY THE DEFENDANT TO HIM.
¶ 28. Davis claims the trial judge committed reversible error by admitting evidence that Davis threatened to “shoot up” Jenkins‘s apartment if Jenkins did not give the shotgun to him. Davis argues that the evidence was highly prejudicial and not probative on any relevant issue citing Cabello v. State, 490 So.2d 852 (Miss. 1986) (evidence of crimes other than the one for which the accused is on trial is not admissible in a criminal prosecution). The
¶ 29. The record revealed that counsel for the defense made a motion in limine to prohibit Jenkins from testifying that Davis had threatened to “shoot his place up on this particular occasion if a certain weapon was not released” since that did not show plan, motive, absence of mistake, or a common scheme concerning what the defendant was going to do fifteen minutes later. The trial judge denied the motion, ruling that the evidence was relevant and the probative value would outweigh any prejudicial effect.
¶ 30. Evidence of other crimes is admissible when such evidence tends to establish or explain the motive for the crime with which the defendant is charged, particularly in cases involving circumstantial evidence. Ladner v. State, 197 So.2d 257, 264 (Miss.1967). “If prior bad acts evidence falls within a 404(b) exception, its prejudicial effect must still be weighed against its probative value to determine admissibility under
VI. THE DEFENDANT WAS DENIED HIS SIXTH AMENDMENT RIGHT OF EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL.
¶ 31. A claim of ineffectiveness of counsel begins with the fundamental concepts that the defendant: (1) had a right to counsel, (2) that his right to counsel encompassed the right to reasonably effective assistance of counsel, and (3) that the right to effective assistance of counsel attached at both the guilt phase and sentencing phase of his trial. King v. State, 503 So.2d 271, 273 (Miss.1987). “The benchmark for judging any claim of ineffectiveness [of counsel] must be whether counsel‘s conduct so undermined the proper functioning of the adversarial process that the trial cannot be relied on as having produced a just result.” Foster v. State, 687 So.2d 1124, 1129 (Miss.1996). The defendant must establish two elements in order to prevail in this claim. First, he must show that his counsel‘s performance was so deficient that he was not performing as counsel guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment. Second, he must prove that counsel‘s errors were so serious as to deprive him of a fair trial. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 2064, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984); Foster, 687 So.2d at 1129. Both showings must be made or there is no claim that a breakdown in the adversary process has occurred such that the result is unreliable. Id. This Court will review all circumstances in order to determine whether counsel‘s assistance was reasonable. Id. at 1129-30. There is a presumption that defense counsel is competent. Id. at 1130. We will evaluate counsel‘s actions from his perspective at the time he took those actions. King, 503 So.2d at 273. It must be determined that but for the counsel‘s unprofessional errors it can be shown to a reasonable probability that the result of the proceeding would have been different. Foster, 687 So.2d at 1130. There is no constitutional right to errorless counsel, just to effective, competent counsel. Both prongs of the test must be satisfied. Id.
¶ 32. State‘s witness Beverly Smith testified that she and the defendant and other individuals had consumed a lot of alcohol and some marijuana during the early afternoon of the day before the murder. (The murder occurred after midnight). Defense counsel did not object. On cross-examination, counsel for the defense questioned Smith as to how much liquor and marijuana was purchased and consumed. Davis argued that this evidence was highly prejudicial and that defense counsel should have objected, citing Eubanks v.. State, 419 So.2d 1330 (Miss. 1982) (proof of a crime distinct from that alleged in the indictment should not be admitted into evidence against the accused). The State responded by pointing out that Davis‘s theory of the case was that he did not have the requisite intent to commit the crime because he had been under the influence of drugs.
¶ 33. The record revealed that Davis admitted this statement “not as hearsay, but to show the effect that it had on this 17-18-year-old kid who was obviously intoxicated and possibly high on some sort of controlled substance, and that‘s the reason that we offer this particular piece of evidence.” It cannot be shown that counsel for the defense was in error by allowing the testimony of Smith to be admitted. The record revealed the trial strategy of Davis. The testimony supported this theory. Counsel‘s performance was not deficient such that he was not performing as counsel guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment. Thus, we need not address the second prong of Strickland. This issue is without merit.
2. Trial Counsel Failed to Object to Improper Remarks Made by Counsel for the State
¶ 34. Davis argued that defense counsel should have objected to comments made by the State during closing argument in the guilt phase where the State made the following remarks:
But I didn‘t hear an argument from Mr. Shaddock [Davis‘s trial attorney] that it wasn‘t him on the videotape. I didn‘t hear any evidence or an argument from Mr. Shaddock that he was in another place at the time of the commission of this homicide. I didn‘t hear that argument.
Davis argued that these statements were comments by the State on Davis‘s failure to testify at the guilt phase of the trial, citing West v. State, 485 So.2d 681 (Miss. 1985). The State submitted that the statement was merely argument to the jury concerning what the facts were in order for the jury to make a decision. The State was explaining that Davis did not contest certain facts and the reason the defense did not object was because the other evidence clearly proved Davis was at the scene of the crime during the actual commitment of the crime as evidenced by the video.
¶ 35. “A direct comment on a defendant‘s failure to testify is not allowed under Mississippi law and constitutes reversible error.” McGilberry, 741 So.2d at 907. “Reference to a defendant‘s failure to testify by innuendo and insinuation is also forbidden.” Id. “Balanced against the rights of the defendant, however, is the rule that lawyers are given broad latitude in their closing arguments.” Id. “Thus, although a direct comment on the defendant‘s right to testify is forbidden, all other comments must be examined on a case-by-case basis.” Id. “There is a distinction between a comment on the failure to testify and a comment on the failure to put on a successful defense.” Id. “Not every comment regarding the lack of any defense or upon the defense presented is equivalent to a comment on the defendant‘s failure to testify.” Id. at 908. “[T]he State is entitled to comment on the lack of any defense, and such a comment will not be construed as a reference to a defendant‘s failure to testify by innuendo and insinuation.” Id.
CONCLUSION
¶ 37. The issues presented by Davis on appeal have been reviewed and found to be without merit. The judgment of the Jackson County Circuit Court is hereby affirmed.
¶ 38. CONVICTION OF CAPITAL MURDER AND SENTENCE OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT IN THE CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE, GOOD-TIME, EARNED-TIME OR OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE REDUCTION OF SENTENCE AFFIRMED.
PRATHER, C.J., SMITH, MILLS, WALLER AND DIAZ, JJ., CONCUR. PITTMAN, P.J., CONCURS IN RESULT ONLY. BANKS, P.J., CONCURS WITH SEPARATE WRITTEN OPINION JOINED BY McRAE AND WALLER, JJ.
BANKS, Presiding Justice, concurring:
¶ 39. I agree with the result reached by the majority. I write separately to note my disagreement with the conclusion reached in part V of the majority opinion.
¶ 40. In my view, the testimony that the defendant threatened a person to obtain the weapon allegedly used in a robbery has no rational relationship to motive or intent to commit the robbery. The only relevant fact is that the defendant obtained the weapon of a type used in the robbery, shortly before the robbery. The fact that he uttered a threat to obtain the weapon says nothing about a motive or intent to rob.
¶ 41. Despite the error in admitting this testimony, however, I would affirm because, in my view, this testimony pales in significance in light of the voluminous evidence, including a video tape of the event, indicating Davis‘s guilt. Moreover, Davis‘s rather dubious defense that he was too intoxicated to form the intent to rob could be helped rather than harmed by this testimony. Surely, intoxication helps explain why one would get into a confrontation with another, thereby creating an adverse witness, in order to obtain a weapon which one uses shortly thereafter to commit a crime.
McRAE AND WALLER, JJ., JOIN THIS OPINION.
McRAE, Justice, dissenting from the denial of the motion for rehearing:
¶ 42. Because the majority loses sight of the critical nature of impaneling a special venire jury to try the defendant and because the trial court began the voir dire process without the presence of the defendant or his counsel, I dissent. The relevant issue is whether one considers the trial court‘s excusing from a special venire approximately 28 jurors outside the presence of the defendant or his attorney while impaneling a jury drawn specifically for his trial violates
¶ 43. On the opening day of trial, the trial judge began the voir dire process around 7:45 a.m. Apparently, it was the custom of the court to begin the voir dire process at that time. David L. Davis‘s counsel followed the order of the docket
¶ 44. Before the oath was administered to the remaining potential jurors, Davis‘s counsel made a motion to quash the jury based on his objection that the trial judge erred by beginning the voir dire process without the presence of the defendant or his counsel. The defendant and his trial counsel did not have the opportunity to object to the dismissal of any of the potential jurors during this initial voir dire.
¶ 45.
¶ 46.
¶ 47. This was a case where a special venire was drawn in order to determine the potential jurors. When a person has been charged with a capital crime or with the crime of manslaughter, the accused or the district attorney, upon demand, has the right to a special venire. If a special venire has been granted, it is the duty of the trial judge, in open court, to draw from the jury box as many names as he desires in his discretion, not less than 40, for each special venire that is demanded. It is the duty of the clerk of the court to issue a special venire facias, commanding the sheriff to summon the names of the persons so drawn to appear in court on a particular day.
¶ 48. In this case, Davis filed a motion for a special venire, and the jury was then
¶ 49. The majority has adopted the bright-line rule stating that general questioning of prospective jurors to ascertain those who are qualified or exempt from jury service is not a critical stage of the trial. The majority states, “such statutory matters as whether a prospective juror is a resident of the county, is ill or has an illness in the family, or is over 65 years of age are not matters which necessitate a defendant‘s presence.” The majority fails to recognize that the trial judge questioned the potential jurors as to matters that went beyond these statutory qualifications and requirements. For cases involving a special venire, the voir dire process is a critical stage of the trial.
¶ 50. The majority also fails to recognize the significance and the distinction of the use of the special venire in this case. The defendant‘s right to be present during all stages of a trial is even more important when there is a special venire selected. It is especially important for the defendant to be present during the voir dire process, as the members of the venire were selected specifically to judge this defendant. The trial judge questioned potential jurors as to their employment and business conflicts, excusing potential jurors for reasons such as the fact that they were students, teachers, single mothers, or construction workers. This questioning of the prospective jurors is within the trial judge‘s discretion but not within the enumerated statutory qualifications (13-5-1) or mandatory exemptions (13-5-25). Because the judge went outside the scope of these statutory qualification and exemption questions in the absence of the defendant or his attorney, the trial court committed error. The defendant should have been present during this part of the voir dire process so that he and his attorney could make any objections to these dismissals.
¶ 51. A defendant has “the right to personal presence at all critical stages of the trial and the right to counsel are fundamental rights of each criminal defendant.” Simmons v. State, 746 So.2d 302, 308 (Miss.1999) (quoting Rushen v. Spain, 464 U.S. 114, 117, 104 S.Ct. 453, 78 L.Ed.2d 267 (1983)). Felony cases cannot be tried in the absence of the defendant. Id. at 306 (citing Sandoval v. State, 631 So.2d 159, 164 (Miss.1994)). In Simmons, this Court interpreted
¶ 52. Morgan v. Illinois, 504 U.S. 719, 729, 112 S.Ct. 2222, 119 L.Ed.2d 492 (1992) sums up the importance of the voir dire process as a critical stage of the trial:
It is true that voir dire “is conducted under the supervision of the court, and a great deal must, of necessity, be left to its sound discretion.” Ristaino v. Ross, 424 U.S. 589, 594, 96 S.Ct. 1017, 1020, 47 L.Ed.2d 258 (1976) (quoting Connors v. United States, 158 U.S. 408, 413, 15 S.Ct. 951, 953, 39 L.Ed. 1033 (1895)). The Constitution, after all, does not dictate a catechism for voir dire, but only that the defendant be afforded an impartial jury. Even so, part of the guarantee of a defendant‘s right to an impartial jury is an adequate voir dire to identify unqualified jurors. Dennis v. United States, 339 U.S. 162, 171-172, 70 S.Ct. 519, 523-524, 94 L.Ed. 734 (1950); Morford v. United States, 339 U.S. 258, 259, 70 S.Ct. 586, 587, 94 L.Ed. 815 (1950).
“Voir dire plays a critical function in assuring the criminal defendant that his [constitutional] right to an impartial jury will be honored. Without an adequate voir dire, the trial judge‘s responsibility to remove prospective jurors who will not be able impartially to follow the court‘s instructions and evaluate the evidence cannot be fulfilled.” Rosales-Lopez v. United States, 451 U.S. 182, 188, 101 S.Ct. 1629, 1634, 68 L.Ed.2d 22 (1981) (plurality opinion).
¶ 53. The majority‘s bright-line rule runs opposite of the basic definition of “impanel” for jury purposes. The majority claims that upon review of sections found in Mississippi Code Annotated Title 13, Chapter 5, and many cases involving jury issues that the definition of what constitutes “impaneling the jury” is unclear. Black‘s Law Dictionary states “impanel” means “the act of the clerk of the court in making up a list of the jurors who have been selected for the trial of a particular cause. All the steps of ascertaining who shall be the proper jurors to sit in the trial of a particular case up to the final formation.” Black‘s Law Dictionary 752 (6th ed.1990); see also Black‘s Law Dictionary (Westlaw ed.1999). Since case law includes the impanelment of the jury as a “critical stage” in the trial, and case law also states that a defendant should be present at all the critical stages of a trial, the impanelment of the jury must be considered a critical stage of the trial where the defendant is required to be present. The majority of this Court in the case sub judice creates its own definition of what constitutes impaneling the jury, and therefore, what is a critical stage of the trial.
¶ 54. The majority‘s bright-line rule for establishing what constitutes a critical stage of a trial at which the defendant must be present is wrong. A special venire requires the presence of the defendant as well as his attorney during the voir dire process, as it is a critical stage of his trial. The defendant and his attorney should be present during all stages of the trial, including the voir dire process. This Court should grant the motion for rehearing, reverse the trial court‘s judgment, and remand this case for a new trial before a properly impaneled jury. Because the majority fails to do this, I dissent.