Dedrick Small v. State of Mississippi

WILSON, J.,

FOR THE COURT:

¶ 1. Dedrick Small was convicted of aiding and abetting Cortez Bass in the murder of Donterrius Jackson. On appeal, Small argues that the trial judge abused his discretion by excluding a .prior statement by Bass, who was convicted in a separate trial. The judge ruled that Bass’s statement, which tended to exculpate Small, was inadmissible hearsay. Small argues that the statement was admissible as a statement against Bass’s penal interest. However, we conclude that the trial judge did not abuse his discretion by excluding the statement, as it was neither against Bass’s…