Scott Anthony Foley v. State of Mississippi ( 2003 )

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF MISSISSIPPI
NO. 2004-KA-00070-SCT
consolidated with
NO. 2004-KA-00375-SCT
SCOTT ANTHONY FOLEY
v.
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
DATES OF JUDGMENTS: 12/17/2003 & 02/06/2004
TRIAL JUDGE: HON. GEORGE B. READY
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED: DeSOTO COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT: BENJAMIN LOUIS TAYLOR
JACK R. JONES, III
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
BY: JEAN SMITH VAUGHAN
DISTRICT ATTORNEY: JOHN W. CHAMPION
NATURE OF THE CASE: CRIMINAL - FELONY
DISPOSITION: AFFIRMED - 09/15/2005
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:
MANDATE ISSUED:
BEFORE WALLER, P.J., DICKINSON AND RANDOLPH, JJ.
WALLER, PRESIDING JUSTICE, FOR THE COURT:
¶1. Scott Anthony Foley was indicted in the Circuit Court of DeSoto County for: (1)
felonious sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 14 and 24 months younger than
Foley (rape); (2) felonious sexual penetration with a child less than 18 (sexual battery); and (3)
possession of materials depicting children under the age of 18 engaging in sexually explicit
conduct (child exploitation). The first two counts pertained to Foley’s conduct with a female
child, K.F. The third count pertained to other children who remained unidentified. A trial was
held concerning the first two counts while a separate trial adjudicated the third. The appeals
from both trials have been consolidated and all three counts are considered below.
FACTS
¶2. Scott Foley and Deborah Foley Houck were previously married and adopted Deborah’s
niece, K.F., during their marriage. After divorcing, Deborah retained physical custody of K.F.
while Scott was allowed some visitation. Soon after a weekend visit with Foley, K.F., who was
five years old at the time, told a therapist named Dr. Ruth Cash (sometimes referred to as Outz
in the record) that Foley showed her pornographic images on his computer. K.F. also made
comments to Cash indicating that Foley was undressing in front of K.F, placing a vibrator “in
her,” forcing her to “touch him,” and forcing her to perform oral sex on him. A subsequent
physical exam was conducted by Ninah Sublette, a sexual assault examiner, that revealed
substantial injuries to K.F.’s vagina and anus consistent with some sort of blunt, penetrating
trauma. K.F. also made remarks to Sublette indicating that Foley had performed oral sex on
K.F., forced K.F. to touch him inappropriately, and inserted a vibrator into parts of K.F.’s body.
¶3. Scarlett Barnes, a social worker who talked with K.F. in a counseling session, also
witnessed K.F. drawing pictures of what appeared to be penises and using explicit language to
refer to the subject of those drawings when questioned. K.F. also drew pictures of sexual
intercourse and mentioned the pictures were similar to events occurring at Foley’s home the
previous weekend. Josh Zacherias, a detective from the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department,
was informed of the allegations of sexual abuse of K.F. by the Department of Human Services
2
and obtained a search warrant to search Foley’s home. Vibrators matching descriptions given
by K.F. were found in locations where K.F. indicated they were kept. Stacks of compact discs
containing pornographic images of children were also found in Foley’s home and seized.
Foley’s home computer was also seized and later turned over the Federal Bureau of
Investigation. Foley was arrested and charged with capital rape, sexual battery, and possession
of child pornography. Foley was tried and found guilty of all counts in separate trials. On
Counts I and II, the circuit court sentenced Foley to life imprisonment for the crime of capital
rape and thirty years for the crime of sexual battery. On Count III, Foley was sentenced to
twenty years for possession of child pornography.
DISCUSSION
¶4. The two separate appeals are consolidated into one opinion because of common issues
of law and facts and for judicial economy. We will begin our discussion with issues common
to both trials and then consider issues specific to one of Foley’s two trials.
Standard of Review
¶5. Many issues presented by Foley concern evidentiary rulings of the circuit court and will
be examined under an abuse of discretion standard. Broadhead v. Bonita Lakes Mall, Ltd.
P’ship, 702 So. 2d 92, 102 (Miss. 1997) (citing Sumrall v. Miss. Power Co., 693 So. 2d 359,
365 (Miss. 1997)). Issues requiring a different standard of review are noted below and
analyzed accordingly.
ISSUES COMMON TO BOTH TRIALS
I. WHETHER THE CIRCUIT COURT ERRED IN ADMITTING
STATEMENTS MADE BY A CHILD TO MEDICAL PERSONNEL
INTO EVIDENCE.
3
¶6. Foley contends that in both cases the trial court erred by allowing statements of K.F.
to be brought before the jury through the testimony of medical professionals who examined
or interviewed K.F. The State called a number of medical professionals and counselors as part
of its case-in-chief. One of those witnesses, Dr. Cash, was to testify as to statements made
to her by K.F. Recognizing that such statements would be hearsay, the circuit court judge first
determined that the statements of K.F. to Dr. Cash would be admissible under Mississippi Rule
of Evidence 803(4) as a statement made for the purposes of medical treatment, and thus an
exception to the hearsay rule of exclusion.1
1
The comment to Mississippi Rule of Evidence 803(4) reads:
(4) Statements for Purposes of Medical Diagnosis or Treatment. Rule 803(4)
represents a deviation from previous Mississippi practice in three significant
ways. First, Rule 803(4) permits statements of past symptoms as well as
present symptoms. Second, the rule allows for statements which relate to the
source or cause of the medical problem whereas Mississippi courts formerly
disallowed such statements. See Field v. State, 57 Miss. 474 (1879), and
Mississippi Cent. R.R. Co. v. Turnage, 95 Miss. 854, 49 So. 840 (1909), for
pre-rule Mississippi law. While statements about cause are permissible,
statements concerning fault are still subject to being excluded. Third, the
statements may be made either to a physician or to diagnostic medical
personnel. Mississippi's pre-rule practice distinguished between narrative
statements made to a treating physician and those made to an examining
physician who was retained for use as an expert witness in the litigation.
Statements made to the former were generally admissible, whereas no
statements made to the latter were admissible. See Mississippi Cent. R.R.
Co. v. Turnage, 95 Miss. 854, 49 So. 840 (1909). Rule 803(4) eliminates that
distinction and permits statements made both for treating and diagnostic
purposes. Under Rule 803(4) the statement need not be made to a physician.
This is consistent with traditional Mississippi practice.
The amendment to Rule 803(4) is a recognition that medical diagnosis
4
¶7. K.F.’s statements made to Dr. Cash in the course of therapy fall easily into the
exception outlined above. In addition to the exception under M.R.E. 803(4), the circuit court
judge interviewed K.F. and found her to be unavailable as a witness due to her young age and
because of developmental characteristics that would make questioning of her impractical, if
not impossible. K.F.’s age, court-determined unavailability, and the nature of the allegations
in the case put K.F.’s statements squarely within the tender years exception to hearsay as
provided by Mississippi Rule of Evidence 803(25).2
¶8. As stated above, though, M.R.E. 803(25) requires a three-pronged test be met before
a child’s testimony may admissible in evidence under the tender years exception. First, it must
be shown that a child of tender years has described some sexual contact with or on the child
by another; second, the court must find that a number of factors show that the statements
and treatment may encompass mental and emotional conditions as well as
physical conditions. Moreover, the rule, by requiring the judge to find
trustworthiness, gives the trial judge greater discretion than the original rule.
By permitting the recipient to be non-medical personnel, M.R.E. 803(4)
modifies case law interpretations of the former language of this exception and
now conforms with prevailing interpretations of F.R.E. 803(4). See F.R.E.
803(4), Advisory Committee Notes.
2
M.R.E. 803(25) provides as follows:
Tender Years Exception. A statement made by a child of tender years describing
any act of sexual contact performed with or on the child by another is admissible
in evidence if: (a) the court finds, in a hearing conducted outside the presence
of the jury, that the time, content, and circumstances of the statement provide
substantial indicia of reliability; and (b) the child either (1) testifies at the
proceedings; or (2) is unavailable as a witness: provided, that when the child is
unavailable as a witness, such statement may be admitted only if there is
corroborative evidence of the act.
5
contain substantial indicia of reliability; and finally, either the child must testify at the
proceedings or be unavailable. Before a child may be rendered unavailable, however, M.R.E.
803(25) requires that there be corroborative evidence of the act before the statement(s) be
admitted. The first criterion is easily met inasmuch as K.F. was five to six years old at the time
of her allegations of sexual abuse. As to the prong concerning substantial indicia of reliability,
the comments to M.R.E. 803(25) give a number of factors to be considered when determining
whether a child’s allegations of sexual abuse meet the reliability standard.3
¶9. In the present case, the circuit court judge interviewed K.F. personally and examined
the context of the statements she made. We find that K.F.’s statements had the requisite
substantial indicia of reliability and the circuit judge’s decision to apply the tender years
exception to K.F.’s testimony was not in error. K.F.’s comments, spontaneously made to a
number of professionals trained to detect abuse and its effects, showed an overwhelming sense
of adult knowledge of sexual topics of which children in their earliest years should have no
knowledge. Additionally, the statements were made without the presence of adults who might
3
The comment to M.R.E. 803(25) states as follows:
(1) whether there is an apparent motive on declarant's part to lie; (2) the general
character of the declarant; (3) whether more than one person heard the
statements; (4) whether the statements were made spontaneously; (5) the timing
of the declarations; (6) the relationship between the declarant and the witness;
(7) the possibility of the declarant's faulty recollection is remote; (8) certainty
that the statements were made; (9) the credibility of the person testifying about
the statements; (10) the age or maturity of the declarant; (11) whether
suggestive techniques were used in eliciting the statement; and (12) whether the
declarant's age, knowledge, and experience make it unlikely that the declarant
fabricated.
6
have coached her and, based on expert testimony, were voluntarily given and not elicited by
certain questions. The defense objected to the reliability of K.F.’s statements by pointing out
the possibility that K.F.’s allegations were related to a custody battle, that there were
allegations of abuse by people other than Foley, and that K.F. exhibited signs of immaturity.
The circuit court judge, though, was in the best position to make that determination, and there
is no evidence that the circuit judge faltered in finding K.F.’s statements contained the required
substantial indicia of reliability.
¶10. The hearsay exception under M.R.E. 803(25) requires that a child either testify or, if
unavailable, the child’s statements are corroborated with evidence of the act alleged. The
circuit judge determined that due to age and developmental issues, K.F. was unavailable to
testify. Foley argues that this also made her statements unreliable, but M.R.E. 803(25)
expressly contradicts this argument by allowing an unavailable child’s testimony to be
admissible so long as it passes the safeguards to protect against untrustworthy testimony.
There is no doubt that the overwhelming physical evidence of abuse to K.F.’s person
corroborated the statements by K.F. alleging sexual abuse. Thus, K.F’s statements met all the
criteria to find admission under the tender years exception and the medical statement
exception to hearsay. Foley incorrectly avers that the circuit court restricted his Sixth
Amendment rights to cross-examine K.F. by allowing the testimony of medical professionals
to bring in K.F.’s comments. Foley’s argument ignores the fact that such allowances make up
the basic nature of hearsay exceptions based on the unavailability of the declarant. Foley’s
arguments to the contrary are without merit.
7
¶11. Foley asserts an additional argument on this issue in the appeal of his second trial.
Foley asks us to find that allowing such testimony violated his Sixth Amendment right to
confront adverse witnesses as discussed by the United States Supreme Court’s decision in
Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36, 124 S. Ct. 1354, 158 L. Ed. 2d 177 (2004). The
United States Supreme Court’s decision in Crawford held that out-of-court statements by
witnesses that are testimonial in nature are not allowed under the Confrontation Clause unless
the witness is unavailable and the defendant had a prior opportunity to cross-examine the
witness. Id. Foley argues that admitting the testimony of medical personnel and counselors
concerning K.F.’s statements violates Crawford because he had no chance to cross-examine
K.F. Under Crawford, Foley must show that K.F.’s statements were “testimonial” in order for
them to violate the Confrontation Clause. Id. at 50-53. The Supreme Court stated that, at a
minimum, statements of a testimonial nature include “prior testimony at a preliminary hearing,
before a grand jury, or at a former trial” and police interrogations. Id. at 68. The Court
declined to further elaborate on its definition. Id. Statements made by K.F. do not fall into
any of those categories, and Foley failed to argue or show that the therapists or medical
professionals who testified concerning statements made by K.F. had contacted the police or
were being used by the police as a means to interrogate K.F. or investigate her claims. See,
e.g. State v. Snowden, 385 Md. 64, 867 A.2d 314, 326 (Md. 2005). K.F.’s statements were
made as a part of neutral medical evaluations and thus do not meet Crawford’s “testimonial”
criterion. Thus, Foley’s Crawford argument is without merit.
8
II. WHETHER IT WAS ERROR TO DENY FOLEY’S MOTION TO
SUPPRESS EVIDENCE SEIZED PURSUANT TO A SEARCH
WARRANT.
¶12. Foley argues that the circuit court in both cases erred in not granting his pretrial motion
to suppress evidence obtained by a search warrant. Specifically, Foley argues that the warrant
was not supported by probable cause and that the supporting affidavit and facts relied on
hearsay. When reviewing a finding of probable cause to issue a warrant “this Court does not
make a de novo determination of probable cause, but only determines if there was a substantial
basis for the magistrate’s determination of probable cause.” Smith v. State, 504 So. 2d 1194,
1196 (Miss. 1987). Federal and state common law favor a totality of the circumstances test
when deciding if probable cause is present:
The United States Supreme Court has established a “totality of the
circumstances” standard for determining the existence of probable cause: The
task of the issuing magistrate is simply to make a practical, common-sense
decision based on all the circumstances set forth in the affidavit before him,
including the “veracity” and “basis of knowledge” of persons supplying hearsay
information. Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 103 S. Ct. 2317, 2332, 76 L. Ed.
2d 527 (1983). We adopted the Gates “totality of the circumstances” test in
Lee v. State, 435 So. 2d 674, 676 (Miss. 1983).
State v. Woods, 866 So. 2d 422, 425-26 (Miss. 2003).
¶13. Probable cause has also been defined as “more than a bare suspicion but less than
evidence that would justify condemnation.” Id. (citing Wagner v. State, 624 So. 2d 60, 66
(Miss. 1993)). Looking at the totality of the circumstances, K.F. specifically stated that Foley
showed her pictures of nude people on his computer screen doing things she described as
“gross.” She used language to describe acts performed on her and by her in relation to Foley
9
in such sexually explicit terms that veracity could easily be inferred. Additionally, police were
alerted to the fact that K.F.’s body showed evidence of recent sexual assault, and that she had
been in the presence of Foley within the last seventy-two hours. When considering all of the
circumstances present at the time of the warrant’s issue, the circuit court judge did not err in
either trial in his finding that probable cause did exist in refusing to suppress evidence
recovered as a result of the warrant at issue.
III. WHETHER THE CIRCUIT COURT ERRED IN DENYING
FOLEY’S PROPOSED JURY INSTRUCTIONS.
¶14. Foley claims the circuit court erred in refusing his proposed instructions, D-3 and D-4.
When examining a trial court’s determination as to appropriate jury instructions, parties are
only entitled to fair instructions giving adequate recitation of the law:
[W]hile a party is entitled to have jury instructions submitted that represent his
or her theory of the case, an instruction that "incorrectly states the law, is
covered fairly elsewhere in the instructions, or is without foundation in the
evidence" need not be submitted to the jury. Humphrey v. State, 759 So. 2d
368, 380 (Miss. 2000). This Court will not find reversible error where the
instructions actually given, when read together as a whole, "fairly announce the
law of the case and create no injustice." Coleman v. State, 697 So. 2d 777, 782
(Miss. 1997) (citing Collins v. State, 691 So. 2d 918, 922 (Miss.1997)).
Entergy Miss., Inc. v. Bolden, 854 So. 2d 1051, 1054 (Miss. 2003).
¶15. Both of the proposed instructions dealt with instructing the jury on circumstantial
evidence. “[W]here there is direct evidence of a crime, the circumstantial evidence instruction
need not be given.” King v. State, 580 So. 2d 1182, 1191 (Miss. 1991) (citing Gray v. State,
549 So. 2d 1316, 1324 (Miss. 1989)). Additionally, a circumstantial evidence case “is one
in which there is neither an eyewitness nor a confession to the crime.” Mangum v. State, 762
10
So. 2d 337, 344 (Miss. 2000). While there are certainly more types of direct evidence than
eyewitness testimony or confessions, the instant case easily meets the standard in Mangum.
K.F.’s statements about being shown pornography were introduced through the testimony of
Dr. Cash and Barnes. K.F. was, of course, an eyewitness to the pornography, and this instance
of direct evidence alone allowed the jury to be given direct evidence instructions only. Foley’s
argument to the contrary is without merit.
¶16. In his second trial, Foley’s request for a jury instruction on circumstantial evidence was
also rejected by the circuit court. The circuit judge found K.F.’s medical report constituted
actual or direct evidence. Additionally, as stated before, the presence of an eyewitness
necessarily precludes a case from having circumstantial evidence instructions. Id. K.F. was
clearly an eyewitness to the abuse committed upon her person. Testimony by others clearly
outlined this and introduced the jury to statements by K.F. since she was unavailable as a
witness. Thus, the circuit court was not in error when it refused to present the jury with the
defense’s proposed circumstantial evidence instructions in either trial.
ISSUE ON APPEAL FROM CONVICTION OF COUNT III
(POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY)
IV. WHETHER THE CIRCUIT COURT IMPROPERLY
OVERRULED OBJECTIONS AND DENIED MOTIONS
MADE BY FOLEY.
¶17. Foley argues that statements by the prosecutor during cross-examination of a witness
and during his closing statements warranted a mistrial. The first assignment of error that Foley
11
makes involves a defendant’s right not to testify in a proceeding. Comments referring to a
defendant’s right not to testify are generally unacceptable:
No person AAA shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against
himself, AAAU.S. Const. Am. 5. See also Miss. Code Ann. section 13-1-9 (1972);
Griffin v. California, 380 U.S. 609, 85 S. Ct. 1229, 14 L. Ed. 2d 106 (1965).
This constitutional right has been construed by this Court to have been violated,
not only when a direct statement is made by the prosecution as to the defendant's
not testifying, but also by a comment which could reasonably be construed by
a jury as a comment on the defendant's failure to testify. Jimpson v. State, 532
So. 2d 985, 991 (Miss. 1988); Livingston v. State, 525 So. 2d 1300, 1305-08
(Miss. 1988); Monroe v. State, 515 So. 2d 860, 865 (Miss. 1987); Bridgeforth
v. State, 498 So. 2d 796, 798 (Miss. 1986); Wilson v. State, 433 So. 2d 1142,
1146 (Miss. 1983); Davis v. State, 406 So. 2d 795, 801 (Miss. 1981).
Griffin v. State, 557 So. 2d 542, 552 (Miss. 1990).
¶18. In the instant case, the prosecutor stated in his closing arguments that “you have to rely
on your own memories, because I am not a witness. They’re not a witness. . . .” Foley objected
and stated that this remark created negative inferences based upon Foley’s choice to exercise
his right not to testify. In response to the objection, the prosecution explained that the word
“they” referred to the attorneys and not the defendant. The circuit judge overruled the
objection, and the prosecution was allowed to continue. Trial judges are best positioned
to determine if an attorney’s closing arguments created unjust prejudice against a party:
In Eckman v. Moore, 876 So. 2d 975, 994 (Miss. 2004), we summarized the
standard of review for closing arguments: Attorneys have wide latitude in
closing arguments. Notwithstanding the wide latitude afforded in closing
arguments "[t]he standard of review that appellate courts must apply to lawyer
misconduct during opening statements or closing arguments is whether the
natural and probable effect of the improper argument is to create unjust
prejudice . . . so as to result in a decision influenced by the prejudice so
created." This Court has held that "any alleged improper comment must be
12
viewed in context, taking the circumstances of the case into consideration." The
trial judge is in the best position to determine if an alleged objectionable remark
has a prejudicial effect.
Burr v. Miss. Baptist Med. Ctr., --- So. 2d ----, 2005 WL 1498868, at *1 (Miss. 2005).
¶19. It is clear from the context of the sentences that the prosecutor was referring to the
attorneys and not Foley. The prosecutor first pointed out that he was not a witness and then
made the statement Foley brings into issue. Nothing from the prosecutor’s express words or
any reasonable inference from those words points to Foley. Looking to the particular
comments and facts of this case, no serious or irreparable damage was inflicted on Foley by
a statement that could not reasonably have been construed to be a comment upon Foley’s
failure to take the stand. Foley’s constitutional rights were not violated, and there is no
evidence that the prosecutor’s comments in closing had any sort of a prejudicial effect on the
jury warranting reversal.
¶20. Foley next asserts an identical assignment of error concerning statements made by the
prosecution in its questioning of his father, Nicholas Foley. Nicholas was asked on cross-
examination whether or not he was aware of a statement made by his son in a deposition
concerning a civil matter. The purported purpose of the prosecution’s question was to impeach
the credibility of the witness using a prior inconsistent statement made by Scott Foley. The
defense vigorously objected, and the circuit court sustained the objection reasoning that
impeachment of the witness using extrinsic evidence was inappropriate. The circuit court
judge subsequently ordered jurors to disregard the question. Foley’s counsel moved for a
mistrial on the grounds that it drew attention to and encouraged inferences concerning Foley’s
13
choice not to testify. The motion was denied because the circuit court determined that the
statements would not affect the ultimate issue of the case and could be removed from the
minds of the jury by a verbal instruction to disregard. A trial court can best determine if
irreparable harm resulted from arguments made in a particular case:
[t]he trial court is in the best position to weigh the consequences of an
objectionable argument and, unless serious and irreparable damage has occurred,
at that point admonish the jury to disregard the improper comment. McGilberry
v. State, 741 So. 2d 894, 909 (Miss. 1999). Whether there is error based on
improper prosecutorial comments must be determined according to the facts of
the particular case.
Baldwin v. State, 784 So. 2d 148, 164 (Miss. 2001).
¶21. Additionally, the standard of review for rulings on motions for mistrial are abuse of
discretion. Pulphus v. State, 782 So. 2d 1220, 1223 (Miss. 2001) (citing McGilberry v.
State, 741 So. 2d 894, 907 (Miss. 1999)). Considering the facts surrounding the disputed
comments under the analysis outlined above, we find that no serious and irreparable harm
resulted. The circuit court correctly told the jury to disregard the line of questioning and
denied Foley’s motion for mistrial. Doing so did not constitute an abuse of discretion. Id.
¶22. Finally, Foley maintains that a motion for mistrial should have been granted because of
comments made by the prosecutor concerning the failure of the defense to call a witness. One
of Foley’s primary defenses was the possibility that someone else had placed the pornographic
images on his computer. The prosecution’s closing statements made reference to the defense
counsel’s failure to call a child who had lived in Foley’s home for a few months with his
14
mother and Foley. Defense counsel objected to the statements, but the circuit court overruled
the objection and instructed the jury to disregard the statements by the prosecutor.
¶23. “[T]he general principle is that ‘the failure of either party to examine a witness equally
accessible to both is not a proper subject of comment before the jury by either of the parties.’”
Brown v. State, 200 Miss. 881, 27 So. 2d 838, 840 (1946) (citing Heafner v. State, 196 Miss.
430, 17 So. 2d 806, 808 (1944)). Burke v. State, 576 So. 2d 1239, 1241 (Miss. 1991); see
also Madlock v. State, 440 So. 2d 315, 317-18 (Miss. 1983); Doby v. State, 557 So. 2d 533,
538-39 (Miss. 1990); Holmes v. State, 537 So. 2d 882, 885 (Miss. 1988); Griffin v. State,
533 So. 2d 444, 449 (Miss. 1988); Brock v. State, 530 So. 2d 146, 154-55 (Miss. 1988);
Williams v. State, 522 So. 2d 201, 206-07 (Miss. 1988)).
¶24. Foley argues that we must follow this principle and reverse his conviction. However,
“where there is substantial evidence supporting the defendant's guilt, a prosecutor's comment
about a potential witness's absence is not reversible error in and of itself.” Id. (citing Brock,
530 So. 2d at 154-55). Such comments should only be considered reversible error if the
evidence in the case is close or is a part of a number of compounded errors meriting reversal.
Burke, 576 So. 2d at 1241. We recognize that there have been other procedural errors in the
trial of Foley on the charge of possession of child pornography, but none of them, even when
considered collectively, rise to the level of that which constitutes reversing the circuit court’s
refusal to grant a mistrial. A defendant is not entitled to a perfect trial, only a fair one.
Stringer v. State, 500 So. 2d 928, 947 (Miss. 1986) (citing Sand v. State, 467 So. 2d 907
15
(Miss. 1985); Bell v. State, 443 So. 2d 16 (Miss. 1984); Palmer v. State, 427 So. 2d 111
(Miss. 1983); Shaw v. State, 378 So. 2d 631 (Miss. 1979)).
¶25. There is no evidence that this single comment had a prejudicial effect warranting
reversal, and considering the overwhelming evidence, including testimony by a number of
witnesses and the actual presence of pornographic images on Foley’s computer, the
inappropriate comments by the prosecutor concerning the absence of defense witnesses did
not warrant a mistrial since instructing the jury to disregard the comments was an appropriate
response by the trial court. Accordingly, the trial court’s decision was not an abuse of
discretion and Foley’s arguments to the contrary are without merit.
ISSUES ON APPEAL FROM CONVICTION OF COUNTS I AND II
(CAPITAL RAPE AND SEXUAL BATTERY)
V. WHETHER IT WAS ERROR TO ADMIT A PHOTOGRAPH OF
THE VICTIM INTO EVIDENCE.
¶26. Foley asserts that the trial court’s admission of a photograph of K.F. into evidence was
in error. However, Foley did not contemporaneously object to the introduction of such
evidence and cannot now complain about something which he did not object to in his trial. “A
failure to object at trial waives any error which may have been presented, even in capital cases.”
Duplantis v. State, 644 So. 2d 1235, 1245 (Miss. 1994) (quoting Chase v. State, 645 So. 2d
829, 859 (Miss.1994)); Smith v. State, 724 So. 2d 280, 316 (Miss. 1998). Foley’s argument
is procedurally barred and thus without merit.
VI. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE.
16
¶27. Foley also questions the sufficiency of the evidence offered to uphold the jury verdict
in this case. A question of sufficiency of the evidence is one best examined by considering
whether the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt; specifically:
in considering whether the evidence is sufficient to sustain a conviction in the
face of a motion for directed verdict or for judgment notwithstanding the
verdict, the critical inquiry is whether the evidence shows "beyond a reasonable
doubt that accused committed the act charged, and that he did so under such
circumstances that every element of the offense existed; and where the evidence
fails to meet this test it is insufficient to support a conviction." Carr v. State,
208 So. 2d 886, 889 (Miss. 1968).
Bush v. State, 895 So. 2d 836, 843 (Miss. 2005).
¶28. “The relevant question is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable
to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the
crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id. We find, after reviewing all the evidence in the most
favorable light to the prosecution, that there was sufficient evidence to convict Foley of capital
rape and sexual assault. The State offered the testimony of a number of medical and
counseling professionals indicating that K.F.’s statements were consistent with those of a
sexual abuse victim. K.F. named Foley as the perpetrator, and the State offered physical
evidence in the form of medical diagnoses and test results as well as many of the objects K.F.
stated Foley utilized in his abuse of her. Because of such evidence, we find that a rational juror
could have found Foley guilty of both crimes beyond a reasonable doubt. Accordingly, we will
not disturb the jury’s verdict or reverse the trial court’s decision to refuse to grant a directed
verdict or judgment notwithstanding the verdict.
17
VII. WHETHER THE CIRCUIT COURT ERRED IN OVERRULING
FOLEY’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCE OF OTHER CRIMES.
¶29. The next assignment of error Foley makes is what he refers to as the circuit court’s
erroneous allowance of “other crimes” of Foley to be presented to the jury. Specifically,
during the cross-examination of Houck, Foley’s ex-wife, counsel for Foley questioned Houck
about a restraining order against Foley which she had requested. Houck had been called by the
defense as an adverse witness. Subsequent questioning of Houck by the prosecution also
involved the restraining order. Foley objected to such questioning, but the circuit judge
overruled the objection pointing out that the defense had initially asked Houck about the
restraining order and could not block the prosecution’s questions concerning a document the
defense had brought to light in questioning. Foley’s contentions of a wrongful introduction
of other crimes or bad acts fails because, once a defendant opens the door and invites
questioning on a matter, then that defendant may not complain of such alleged errors “invited
or induced by himself.” Caston v. State, 823 So. 2d 473, 502 (Miss. 2002) (quoting Singleton
v. State, 518 So. 2d 653, 655 (Miss. 1988)); see also Evans v. State, 547 So. 2d 38, 40 (Miss.
1989); Edwards v. Stat e, 441 So. 2d 84, 90 (Miss. 1983). Based on the foregoing authority,
the circuit judge did not abuse his discretion in allowing the prosecution’s questions about
areas already reached by questions of Foley’s counsel.
VIII. WHETHER FOLEY’S CROSS-EXAMINATION OF A WITNESS
WAS IMPROPERLY RESTRICTED.
¶30. During his trial, Foley called Houck as an adverse witness. Counsel for Foley began
questioning Houck about her son’s counseling for sexual issues and her intimate relationship
18
with a man. The State objected on grounds of relevance and improper impeachment. Foley’s
counsel made a number of ambiguous statements about the relevancy of the line of questioning
to aid in the establishment that other men or youth could have caused K.F.’s injuries. Foley
wanted to bring in information that Houck had committed adultery and the like. The circuit
judge refused to allow Foley’s attorneys to question Houck about the man to whom she is now
married because the circuit court found that this testimony had no relevance. "[T]he scope of
cross-examination though ordinarily broad, is within the sound discretion of the trial court and
the trial court possesses inherent power to limit cross-examination to relevant matters." Heflin
v. State, 643 So. 2d 512, 518 (Miss. 1994). See also Carr v. State, 655 So. 2d 824, 847
(Miss. 1995). Foley’s assertions simply are not substantiated by the record, and we find that
the circuit court judge did not abuse his discretion in finding that the questions being asked
failed to meet basic relevance requirements concerning either the son or the father.
IX. WHETHER FOLEY’S CLOSING ARGUMENT WAS
IMPROPERLY RESTRICTED.
¶31. Foley also alleges error based on the circuit court’s restricting his counsel’s closing
arguments. Specifically, the circuit court sustained an objection by the State made upon
defense counsel’s statements that “[W]e didn’t hear from [G.F.] Nobody knows where he is.
His mother testified he was up in Memphis.” The objection alleged that defense counsel was,
in effect, testifying as to G.F.’s failure to appear at trial as a witness. Foley was attempting to
show that G.F., Deborah Houck’s son, could have been the perpetrator and cast doubt on the
State’s evidence that Foley was the one responsible for the acts against K.F. Before he
19
sustained the objection, the circuit judge called counsel for both sides to the bench. The bench
conference was not transcribed in the record. After a brief talk, the circuit judge announced
that the statement was to be disregarded by the jury. The judge said, “[T]hat’s not an appropriate
argument under the law. They could have gotten him if they wanted to, could have attempted
it anyway.” “[T]he standard of review that appellate courts must apply to lawyer misconduct
during opening statements or closing arguments is whether the natural and probable effect of
the improper argument is to create unjust prejudice ... so as to result in a decision influenced
by the prejudice so created.” Eckman, 876 So. 2d at 944.
¶32. Both Foley and the State focus their arguments on the availability of Houck’s son, G.F.,
and whether it was permissible to comment upon his absence as a witness in closing arguments.
Foley points out that there was an attempt to subpoena G.F., but from the judge’s comments,
it is apparent that the circuit court determined that Foley had not adequately attempted to
secure G.F. as a witness. The trial court also made reference to the statements not being
appropriate under the law. Indeed, “[t]he general principle is that ‘the failure of either party to
examine a witness equally accessible to both is not a proper subject of comment before the
jury by either of the parties.’ Brown v. State, 27 So. 2d at 840 (citing Heafner v. State, 196
Miss. 430, 17 So. 2d 806, 808 (1944)).” Burke, 576 So. 2d at 1241.
¶33. Foley fails to show why the witness was unavailable. Simply failing to have a witness
under subpoena does not render them unavailable. The circuit judge obviously found evidence
that Foley could have obtained G.F.’s presence in court with some amount of reasonable effort
but failed to do so. Foley asks us to find that the trial court judge’s reasoning was flawed, but
20
did nothing to preserve the judge’s objectionable reasoning in the record for appeal. A
presumption of equal access to both parties arises when the record provides no proof of the
absent witness’s accessibility or inaccessibility. Ross v. State, 603 So. 2d 857, 864 (Miss.
1992) (citing Madlock v. State, 440 So. 2d 315, 318 (Miss. 1983)); see also Holmes v. State,
537 So. 2d 882 (Miss. 1988). We find no reason to disturb the ruling of the circuit judge
since we have not been presented with a showing of prejudice to Foley and has not been shown
why the circuit court’s judgment was incorrect in finding that G.F. could have been found
through reasonable effort by Foley. Foley’s complaint to the alternative is without merit.
X. WHETHER LIFE IMPRISONMENT WAS AN EXCESSIVE
SENTENCE.
¶34. Foley challenges the authority of the circuit court to impose a life sentence for the
conviction of his crime under Miss. Code Ann. § 97-3-65 (1)(b) (Rev. 2000). The State and
Foley point to statutory guidelines for sentencing for a statutory rape conviction in § 97-3-65
(2)(c). However, the accurate subsection is Miss. Code Ann. § 97-3-65 (3)(c) (Rev. 2000) for
statutory rape convictions, and concerning sentencing states that “[I]f eighteen (18) years of
age or older and convicted under paragraph (1)(b) of this section, to imprisonment for life in
the State Penitentiary or such lesser term of imprisonment as the court may determine , but
not less than twenty (20) years”(emphasis added). It was the intent of the state legislature,
Foley argues, that the jury determine his sentence and not the judge. Foley makes reference
to § 97-3-79 of the Mississippi Code which covers the crime and sentencing of the
commission of a robbery with a deadly weapon. Foley points to the fact that a person
21
convicted of robbery with a deadly weapon is entitled to have the jury decide his sentence.4
It is obvious from the language in § 97-3-79 that the jury was intended to arrive at a sentence
for a convicted defendant. In contrast, though, the Legislature used words indicating judicial
discretion would be the determination for crimes of statutory rape in § 97-3-65 (2)(c). Foley
assertions to the contrary are without merit.
CONCLUSION
¶35. Scott Foley’s assertions of error by the trial court are either too slight to warrant
reversal or without merit completely. Accordingly, we affirm the circuit court’s judgments.
¶36. CASE NUMBER 2004-KA-00375-SCT:
COUNT ONE: CONVICTION OF CAPITAL RAPE AND SENTENCE OF LIFE
IMPRISONMENT IN THE CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS, WITHOUT HOPE OF PAROLE OR PROBATION, WITH
CONDITIONS, AFFIRMED. SAID SENTENCE IS TO BEGIN AT THE EXPIRATION
OF THE CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES IMPOSED IN COUNTS TWO AND THREE IN
THIS CAUSE. COUNT TWO: CONVICTION OF SEXUAL BATTERY AND SENTENCE
OF THIRTY (30) YEARS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF
4
Miss. Code Ann. § 97-3-79 provides as follows:
Every person who shall feloniously take or attempt to take from the person or
from the presence the personal property of another and against his will by
violence to his person or by putting such person in fear of immediate injury to
his person by the exhibition of a deadly weapon shall be guilty of robbery and,
upon conviction, shall be imprisoned for life in the state penitentiary if the
penalty is so fixed by the jury; and in cases where the jury fails to fix the
penalty at imprisonment for life in the state penitentiary the court shall fix the
penalty at imprisonment in the state penitentiary for any term not less than three
(3) years.
(Emphasis added).
22
CORRECTIONS, WITHOUT HOPE OF PAROLE OR PROBATION, WITH
CONDITIONS, AFFIRMED. SAID SENTENCE IS TO BE SERVED CONSECUTIVELY
WITH THE TWENTY (20) YEAR SENTENCE PREVIOUSLY IMPOSED IN COUNT
THREE IN THIS CAUSE.
CASE NUMBER 2004-KA-00070-SCT:
COUNT THREE: CONVICTION OF CHILD EXPLOITATION AND SENTENCE
OF TWENTY (20) YEARS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT
OF CORRECTIONS, WITHOUT HOPE OF PAROLE OR PROBATION, WITH
CONDITIONS, AND PAYMENT OF A FINE IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000.00,
AFFIRMED.
SMITH, C.J., COBB, P.J., EASLEY, CARLSON, DICKINSON AND RANDOLPH,
JJ., CONCUR. GRAVES, J., CONCURS IN RESULT ONLY. DIAZ, J., NOT
PARTICIPATING.
23