Mississippi Court of Appeals Decisions of July 22, 2025

The Mississippi Court of Appeals handed down ten opinions today. These opinions cover personal injury, felonies, unauthorized practice of law, appellate jurisdiction, contract, and more. You can read my summaries below.

Varnado v. State, 2024-KA-00338-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of seven counts of sexual battery, holding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting testimony under the Tender Years Exception, that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by allowing the State to ask a victim leading questions on direct, and that the trial court did not err in denying the defendant’s motion for new trial or JNOV challenging the sufficiency and weight of the evidence.
(10-0: St. Pe’ for the Court)

Singh v. Singh, 2024-CA-00646-COA (Civil – Contract)
Affirming the circuit court’s reversal of the county court in a garnishment dispute, holding that the county court’s decision granting a stay of garnishment was not supported by the evidence.
(9-0: St. Pe’ for the Court; Westbrooks did not participate)

Owens v. Boyd Biloxi LLC, 2024-CA-00330-COA (Civil – Personal Injury)
Affirming the circuit court’s grant of summary judgment for the defendant in a slip-and-fall case, holding that the plaintiff failed to come forward with evidence that the defendant had actual or constructive knowledge of water’s presence on the floor.
(10-0: Weddle for the Court)

Brown v. State, 2024-CA-00307-COA (Civil – PCR)
Affirming dismissal of a PCR motion, holding that the trial court did not err in finding that the petition seeking permission to file an appeal nearly 15 years after conviction was time-barred and not subject to exceptions.
(9-0: McCarty for the Court; Weddle did not participate)

Quilantan v. State, 2024-CP-00357-COA (Civil – PCR)
Affirming denial of PCR motion, holding that there was no merit to the claim based on the absence of a PSI report, ineffective assistance of counsel, or failure to provide a certified interpreter.
(9-0: McDonald for the Court; Emfinger did not participate)

Williams v. Williams, 2023-CA-00992-COA (Civil – Domestic Relations)
Dismissing appeal of a decision granting a divorce for lack of final, appealable judgment in a divorce case.
(10-0: Carlton for the Court)

Rash v. State, 2023-KA-01284-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm, holding that there was no merit to the pro se arguments that the trial court failed to properly instruct the jury, that trial counsel provided ineffective assistance, that the State committed prosecutorial misconduct, or that the deputy lacked probable cause or reasonable suspicion for the traffic stop that started it all.
(8-1-0: Carlton for the Court; McDonald concurred in result only without writing; Westbrooks dissented without writing)

Patterson v. State, 2024-KA-00268-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a felon, holding that the defendant’s rights to confrontation and a fair trial were not violated by the hearsay testimony where a hearsay objection was sustained and no curative instruction was sought and that the verdict was not against the overwhelming weight of the evidence.
(10-0: Carlton for the Court)

Lenoire v. State, 2024-KM-00035-COA (Criminal – Misdemeanor)
Reversing conviction of practicing law without a license, holding that the circuit court did not err in denying the defendant’s motion to dismiss the charging affidavit, but that the circuit court’s commentary during the pronouncement of the guilty verdict created a reasonable doubt about the presumption of impartiality and amounted to plain error and that the defendant was deprived of his right to a jury trial and right to counsel.
(6-3: Barnes for the Court; Lawrence concurred in part and dissented in part, joined by Carlton and Emfinger; Weddle did not participate)

Jackson v. State, 2023-KA-01280-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of three counts of trafficking controlled substances, holding that the good faith exception to the exclusionary rule applied where, though probable cause to support the warrant was lacking, law enforcement reasonably relied on a facially valid warrant.
(7-1-2: Wilson for the Court; Carlton concurred in result only without writing; Westbrooks dissented, joined by McDonald)

Other Orders

  • Roncali v. State, 2023-KA-00173-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Roberts v. Roberts, 2023-CA-00934-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Terry v. State, 2023-KA-00979-COA (denying rehearing)

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Mississippi Court of Appeals Decisions of July 15, 2025

The Mississippi Court of Appeals handed down two decisions today. One is a youth court permanency plan case and the other is an appeal of a dismissal and judgment of acquittal.

In the Interest of J.S., a Minor, and I.S., a Minor: P.S. v. Pearl River County Department of Child Protection Services, 2023-CA-00932-COA (Civil – Custody)
Reversing the youth court’s order modifying permanency plan from reunification to adoption and ordering CPS to begin termination of parental rights proceedings, holding that the record did not reflect substantial credible evidence to support the finding that CPS made reasonable efforts over a reasonable period of time to diligently assist the mother in complying with the service plan.
(10-0: Weddle for the Court)

State v. Mitchell, 2023-KA-00771-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Reversing the circuit court’s order granting motion to dismiss and judgment of acquittal, holding that it had appellate jurisdiction under section 99-35-103(a) and that the defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to compulsory process was not violated where the alleged victim was a resident of Tennessee and the Tennessee probate court denied the defendant’s effort to compel the alleged victim to testify.
(5-4: Emfinger for the Court; Barnes dissented, joined by Carlton, Westbrooks, and McDonald; Westbrooks dissented, joined by McDonald; Weddle did not participate)

Other Orders

  • Chambers v. State, 2023-KA-00626-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Star v. State, 2023-KA-00788-COA (denying rehearing)

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Mississippi Supreme Court Decisions of June 19 and June 26, 2025

The Mississippi Supreme Court handed down two opinions last week and three this week. Among them, two election contests, a death penalty PCR case that was remanded, an MTCA personal injury case on interlocutory appeal, and a felony conviction.

June 19, 2025

Brown v. Madison County Board of Supervisors, 2024-EC-01059-SCT (Civil – Election Contest)
Affirming the circuit court’s decision in an election contest, holding that the circuit court did not err in denying a motion to disqualify the Board’s attorney and in affirming the Board’s decision approving the candidate’s candidacy.
(9-0: Randolph for the Court)

Clark v. State, 2022-DR-00829-SCT (Civil – Death Penalty – PCR)
Granting motion for PCR in a death-penalty case, holding that the case should be remanded to the circuit court for an Atkins hearing but otherwise denying relief under Batson and other issues.
(5-3-1: Sullivan for the Court; Randolph concurred in part and in the result, joined by Griffis and Branning, joined in part by Maxwell; King concurred in part and dissented)

Other Orders

  • Melom v. Stone County, Mississippi, 2024-KM-00782-SCT (per curiam affirmance)
  • In Re: Rules Governing Admission to The Mississippi Bar, 89-R-99012-SCT
  • Clark v. State, 2022-DR-00829-SCT (granting in part and denying in part motion for PCR or for leave to proceed in trial court with PCR motion)
  • Chung v. State, 2023-CA-00362-SCT (granting cert)
  • Powers v. State, 2023-DR-00895-SCT (denying cert)
  • Lawson v. State, 2023-CT-01008-SCT (denying cert)
  • Mississippi Baptist Medical Center, Inc. v. Tobias, 2024-M-01395-SCT (denying petition for interlocutory appeal)
  • The Progressive Corporation v. Hanberry, 2025-IA-00109-SCT (granting interlocutory appeal and deciding the case on the petition and response, affirming the denial of a motion to sever but reversing the trial court’s grant of partial summary judgment in the plaintiff’s favor insurance policy dec action)
  • The Mississippi Bar v. Horne-Murry, 2025-BD-00616-SCT (granting petition to transfer respondent to inactive disability status and referring to LJAP)

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June 26, 2025

In Re: Republican Primary Runoff for Pearl River County Tax Collector/Assessor, Jo Lynn Houston v. Sandy Kane Smith, 2024-EC-00015-SCT (Civil – Election Contest)
Affirming on direct appeal and dismissing cross-appeal in an election contest, holding that the trial court did not err in ordering a special election in two precincts or in finding that certain vote challenges were mere technicalities.
(9-0: Branning for the Court; Randolph did not participate)

City of Jackson, Mississippi v. Maxie, 2023-IA-01314-SCT (Civil – Personal Injury)
Reversing the trial court’s denial of summary judgment in an MTCA personal injury action, holding that the plaintiff did not come forward with evidence that there was a dangerous condition of which the defendants had actual or constructive notice and time to correct or warn against.
(9-0: Coleman for the Court)

Cole v. State, 2024-KA-00041-SCT (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of one count of attempted statutory rape, holding that the admission of the victim’s interview did not violate the Confrontation Clause or amount to error under the evidentiary rules, that the admission of the CAD report with a date that was off by one century was not plain error, that there was no plain error in the admission of the State’s expert’s testimony on the victim’s veracity or the State’s characterization of that testimony, and that the cumulative error doctrine did not apply.
(9-0: King for the Court)

Other Orders

  • In Re: The Mississippi Access to Justice Commission, 89-R-99032-SCT ((1) directing the Mississippi Bar, effective July 1, 2025, to remit all pro hac vice fees received under M.R.A.P. 46(b)(5) monthly to the Administrative Office of Courts with two-thirds of the fees to be deposited in the Civil Legal Assistance Fund established by Miss. Code Section 9-21-43 (Rev. 2019) and one-third of the fees to be deposited in the Access to Justice Fund, and (2) directing the Mississippi Bar on or before November 1 of each year to file with this Court an annual report accounting for the receipt of all pro hac vice funds under Rule 46(b)(5))
  • In Re: The Mississippi Access to Justice Commission, 89-R-99032-SCT (order (1) directing the Mississippi Bar, effective July 1, 2025, to remit all funds received by it under Mississippi Rule of Professional Conduct 6.1 monthly to the Administrative Office of Courts to be deposited in the Access to Justice Fund, (2) directing the Mississippi Bar, effective July 1, 2025, to remit all funds currently held in Guaranty Bank Checking Account No. *2492 (The Mississippi Bar Access to Justice account) to the Administrative Office of Courts to be deposited in the Access to Justice Fund, and (3) directing the Mississippi Bar on or before June 1 of each year to file with this Court an annual report accounting for the receipt of all funds under Mississippi Rule of Professional Conduct 6.1.)
  • Ambrose v. State, 2022-DR-00949-SCT (granting State’s motion to dimiss)
  • Ambrose v. State, 2024-CA-00897-SCT (granting motion for voluntary dismissal)

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Mississippi Court of Appeals Decisions of June 17 and June 24, 2025

The Mississippi Court of Appeals handed down a total of sixteen opinions between last week and today. You can read summaries below.

June 17, 2025

Briggs v. Jackson, 2023-CA-01241-COA (Civil – Domestic Relations)
Affirming in part and reversing in part the chancellor’s judgment awarding the mother physical care, custody, and control of two minor children and granting the father visitation rights, holding that the court did not err in its Albright analysis but remanding on the issues of providing coverage of medical expenses, calculation of child support, and visitation schedule.
(10-0: Emfinger for the Court)

Mangum v. State, 2023-KA-01198-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of multiple counts of touching a child for lustful purposes and sexual battery, holding that the trial court did not err in denying the defendant’s alibi instruction and did not commit plain error in admitting a memory card with photos.
(10-0: McCarty for the Court)

Vaughn v. State, 2024-KA-00012-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of multiple counts of drive-by-shooting and shooting int a motor vehicle after review of counsel’s Lindsey brief and independent review of the record.
(10-0: McCarty for the Court)

Hines v. PERS, 2023-SA-01400-COA (Civil – State Boards and Agencies)
Affirming the circuit court’s decision affirming the PERS Board of Trustees’ decision to deny on-duty disability retirement benefits, holding that the decision was supported by supported by substantial evidence and was not arbitrary and capricious.
(10-0: Westbrooks for the Court)

Rodriguez v. State, 2023-KA-01159-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of one count of manslaughter and two counts of second-degree murder, holding that the convictions were supported by sufficient evidence and were not against the overwhelming weight of the evidence, that there was no merit to claims of prosecutorial misconduct, and that the trial court did not abuse its discretion sentencing the defendant to serve forty years on each count to run concurrently.
(9-1-0: Barnes for the Court; Westbrooks concurred in result on without writing)

Other Orders

  • Taylor v. State, 2023-KA-00245-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Wallace v. State, 2023-KA-00721-COA (denying rehearing)

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June 24, 2025

Martin v. Martin, 2024-CA-00228-COA (Civil – Custody)
Affirming the chancellor’s decision denying a petition for custody modification, holding that where there is no finding of an adverse impact there was no need to perform an Albright analysis and modification was not warranted.
(10-0: St. Pe’ for the Court.)

Martin v. Martin, 2024-CA-00222-COA (Civil – Domestic Relations)
Affirming the chancellor’s contempt finding in a divorce proceeding, holding that the chancellor did not err in finding the ex-wife in contempt of the divorce judgment and that she failed to prove her inability to comply and finding no abuse of discretion in the chancellor using contempt power of incarceration to enforce compliance.
(10-0: Weddle for the Court)

Boyd v. Jones County, Mississippi, 2024-CA-00290-COA (Civil – Torts)
Dismissing appeal for want of final, appealable order.
(10-0: McCarty for the Court)

Howard v. Howard, 2023-CA-01029-COA (Civil – Domestic Relations)
Affirming the chancellor’s findings in a divorce proceeding, holding that the chancellor did not err in determining equitable distribution or periodic alimony, or in failing to take into consideration supplemental security income benefits received by the minor child in determining child support.
(10-0: Westbrooks)

McHard, McHard, Anderson & Associates v. Robertson, 2023-CA-00913-COA (Civil – Eminent Domain)
Affirming the chancellor’s decision in an eminent domain case, holding that the petitioner failed to prove that its proposed road was necessary.
(9-0: Carlton for the Court; Emfinger did not participate)

Dowdy v. Grayson, 2023-CA-00985-COA (Civil – Torts)
Affirming on direct appeal and reversing on cross-appeal, holding that the circuit court did not err in granting a directed verdict on a claim for malicious prosecution but holding that the circuit court erred in dismissing a counterclaim of fraud.
(5-2-3: Barnes for the Court; McDonald concurred in part and in the result without writing; Westbrooks concurred in result only without writing; Wilson dissented, joined by Lawrence and Emfinger, and joined in part by Westbrooks)

Brodie v. Brodie, 2023-CA-01397-COA (Civil – Domestic Relations)
Affirming the chancellor’s rulings in a divorce matter, holding that the chancellor did not err in reversing its initial ruling under Rule 59(e), in granting divorce on the grounds of habitual cruel and inhuman treatment, or in the division of marital property.
(9-1-0: Barnes for the Court; McCarty concurred in part and in the result without writing)

Gombako-Amos v. Amos, 2023-CA-01253-COA (Civil – Domestic Relations)
Affirming judgment of contempt in a divorce proceeding, holding that the chancellor did not err in finding that the ex-wife was in contempt for failing to comply with a provision of the property settlement agreement.
(6-4: Wilson for the Court; Carlton and Westbrooks concurred in part and dissented in part without writing; McDonald concurred in part and dissented in part, joined by Carlton, Westbrooks, and McCarty)

Bhatti v. Board of Supervisors of Coahoma County, Mississippi, 2024-CA-00027-COA (Civil – Other)
Affirming the circuit court’s dismissal of a claim to remove a bust of Ghandi from courthouse grounds, holding that the circuit court did not err in finding that claim amounted to a mandamus action and that the petitioner lacked standing.
(8-1*-0: Weddle for the Court; Westbrooks specially concurred, joined by McDonald; Barnes did not participate)

Melton v. State, 2024-KM-00337-COA (Criminal – Misdemeanor)
Reversing conviction of misdemeanor child abuse, holding that the defendant did not expressly waive her constitutional right to a jury trial.
(6-4: Wilson for the Court; Emfinger dissented, joined by Carlton, Lawrence, and St. Pe’)

Heirs of Morsi v. JB Hunt Corporation, 2024-WC-00399-COA (Civil – Workers’ Comp)
Affirming the MWCC’s finding that a claim was not compensable, holding that the MWCC’s finding that the “found dead” presumption did not apply was supported by substantial credible evidence and was neither arbitrary nor capricious.
(6-1-3: Carlton for the Court; McCarty concurred in result only without writing; Westbrooks dissented, joined by McDonald and Lawrence)

Other Orders

  • Taylor v. State, 2023-CA-00738-COA (granting leave to file amicus brief)
  • Craft v. State, 2023-KA-00915-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Johnson v. Cleveland, 2023-CA-01011-COA
  • Foster v. Kovachev, 2023-CP-01030-COA (granting “motion regarding settlement,” dismissing certain parties to the appeal, granting in part appellees’ motion to dismiss appeal and request for sanctions and attorney’s fees, and dismissing appeal)
  • Blumer v. Majestic Homes, LLC, 2024-CA-00163-COA (granting motion for appellate attorney’s fees)

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Mississippi Supreme Court Decisions of June 12, 2025

The Mississippi Supreme Court handed down three opinions today. One is a unique decision addressing sovereign immunity, full faith and credit, and comity. One is a chapter in a post-foreclosure eviction saga. The last is an appeal of a felony conviction with a Lindsey brief.

The Promenade D’Iberville, LLC v. Jacksonville Electric Authority, 2023-CA-01273-SCT (Civil – Other)
Reversing dismissal of a claim against a utility from another state for lack of subject matter jurisdiction based on sovereign immunity, holding that the suit for damages against the utility did not violate full faith and credit or comity principles.
(9-0: Sullivan for the Court)

Federal National Mortgage Association v. Carbo, 2024-CA-00277-SCT (Civil – Real Property)
Affirming the county court’s decision granting a homeowner’s motion to dismiss a claim for eviction and back rent filed by the company that purchased the home in a foreclosure sale but subsequently sold it, holding that the trial court did not err in denying the company’s motion to substitute the subsequent purchaser as plaintiff, in dismissing the company’s suit for lack of standing, or in finding that the company’s suit was barred by res judicata.
(9-0: Coleman for the Court)

Clark v. State, 2024-KA-00446-SCT (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of trafficking eutylone, holding that after reviewing counsel’s Lindsey brief, the pro se brief, and the record, that the appeal lacked merit and no issues warranted supplemental briefing.
(9-0: King for the Court)

Other Orders

  • Jordan v. State, 1998-DP-00901-SCT (denying motion for rehearing as to execution date)
  • Arnold v. State, 2023-CT-00519-SCT (denying cert)
  • Federal National Mortgage Association v. Carbo, 2024-CA-00277-SCT (denying motion to dismiss for lack of standing)
  • Jordan v. State, 2024-DR-01272-SCT (denying rehearing)

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Mississippi Court of Appeals Decisions of June 10, 2025

The Mississippi Court of Appeals handed down six opinions today. There is a child support case, a real property case resolved on the doctrine of res judicata, a contract case involving a rent-to-own contract, and three felony conviction appeals.

Brister v. Martin, 2022-CP-00931-COA (Civil – Domestic Relations)
Affirming the chancery court’s final judgment of child support, holding that the chancellor did not err by issuing a new child support order following a new trial that was conducted after notice to the parties that prior orders were vacated or likely to be vacated.
(9-0: St. Pe’ for the Court)

Okorie v. Citizens Bank, 2024-CP-00462-COA (Civil – Real Property)
Affirming the chancellor’s dismissal of a complaint to quiet and confirm title, holding that the claim was barred by the doctrine of res judicata.
(10-0: Lawrence for the Court)

Stubbs v. Ramsey, 2024-CA-00289-COA (Civil – Contract)
Affirming the chancery court’s judgment granting declaratory and injunctive relief concerning a rent-to-own purchase home, holding that the chancellor did not err in finding that the rent-to-own contract was valid and binding even after the passing of a termination date, in not finding the renter committed a material breach by not completing the purchase by the specified closing date, or in fashioning an equitable remedy to prevent the renter from forfeiting payments made where the failure to close was no one person’s fault.
(9-1-0: McDonald for the Court; Wilson concurred in part and in the result without writing)

Walker v. State, 2023-KA-01012-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of manslaughter, holding that the State did not improperly comment on whether the defendant would testify and that the defendant failed to show that his counsel was ineffective for failing to object, and holding that the record was insufficient to address the issue of whether counsel was ineffective for failing to respond to discovery.
(7-2-0: Westbrooks for the Court; Wilson and Emfinger concurred in part and in the result without writing; Weddle did not participate)

Davis v. State, 2023-KA-00884-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of attempted murder for shooting at someone with an AR-15 at close range, holding that the evidence was sufficient to support the conviction and that the verdict was not against the overwhelming weight of the evidence.
(10-0: Wilson for the Court)

Quinn v. State, 2023-KA-01143-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of second-degree murder, holding that the trial court did not err by excluding a defense witness or evidence about the victim’s purportedly violent character.
(7-3-0: Carlton for the Court; Wilson, McDonald, and McCarty concurred in part and in the result without writing)

Other Orders

  • JLS Farm Partnership v. ’27 Break Hunting Club, Inc., 2023-CA-00434-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Haynes v. State, 2023-KA-00861-COA (denying rehearing)
  • McDonald v. Pruwitt, 2023-CA-01312-COA (granting appellant’s motion for appellate attorney’s fees)

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Mississippi Supreme Court Decisions of June 5, 2025

The Mississippi Supreme Court handed down two decisions today. One opinion reversed the chancellor’s rulings in an estate matter and the other reversed the Court of Appeals and reinstated a judgment of conviction.

In Re Estate of Brent: Mays v. Estate of Brent, 2023-CA-00423-SCT (Wills, Trusts & Estates)
Reversing the chancellor’s decision giving the ex-wife’s Estate an award for unpaid alimony, holding that the chancellor erred by denying the ex-husband Estate credit for partial alimony payments and for life insurance proceeds which resulted in credits exceeding the total amount owed leaving no unpaid alimony.
(9-0: Ishee for the Court)

Allen v. State, 2022-CT-00419-SCT (Criminal – Felony)
Reversing the Court of Appeals and reinstating the judgment of the Yazoo County Circuit Court’s convicting the defendant of six counts of statutory rape, holding that the invited-error doctrine applied because the trial court gave the instructions the defendant requested, that there was no merit to the ineffective-assistance-0f-counsel claim, that the verdict was supported by sufficient evidence, that the defendant waived objections to the application of the tender-years exception, and that the trial court did not err in denying a Batson challenge.
(6-3: Maxwell for the Court; King dissented, joined in part by Coleman and Sullivan; Coleman dissented, joined by Sullivan)

Other Orders

  • In Re: The Rules of Civil Procedure, 89-R-99001-SCT (granting motion to amend M.R.C.P. forms)
  • In Re: The Rules of Civil Procedure, 89-R-99001-SCT (granting motion to amend M.R.C.P. 13)
  • In Re: MEC’s Administrative Procedures,  89-R-99040-SCT (dismissing petition to amend Mississippi Rules of Court by MEC director)
  • In Re: Uniform Procedures for Data Collection Matters in Circuit, Chancery and County Courts,89-R-99042-SCT (dismissing petition to amend Mississippi Rules of Court by MEC director)
  • Smith v. State, 2019-DR-01492-SCT (denying rehearing)
  • Tisdale v. South Central Regional Medical Center, 2023-CT-00231-SCT (denying cert)
  • Hunter v. State, 2023-KA-01246-SCT (denying rehearing)

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Mississippi Court of Appeals Decisions of June 3, 2025

The Mississippi Court of Appeals handed down four opinions today. There are two direct criminal appeals, a PCR case, and part two of an ecclesiastical abstention saga.

Stephney v. State, 2023-KA-00936-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of second-degree murder and attempted murder with firearm enhancement, denying without prejudice to reassert the claim for ineffective-assistance-of-counsel based on trial counsel not seeking a severance and holding that the defendant knowingly and intelligently waived his constitutional right to conflict-free representation.
(9-1-0: Lawrence for the majority; McCarty concurred in part and in the result without writing)

Washington v. State, 2024-CP-00059-COA (Civil – PCR)
Affirming dismissal of a PCR motion, holding that the trial court did not commit reversible error in summarily dismissing the PCR motion without an evidentiary hearing or in denying the motion for discovery.
(7-2-1: Lawrence for the majority; Wilson and McDonald concurred in part and in the result without writing; Emfinger did not participate)

Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Inc. v. Champion, 2024-CA-00401-COA (Civil – Other)
Affirming the chancellor’s decision vacating his prior orders and dismissing the complaint in a case involving a church congregation’s dispute over church governance, holding that the courts are without jurisdiction to adjudicate such ecclesiastical matters.
(10-0: Westbrooks for the the court)

Beasley v. State, 2023-KA-01228-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of statutory rape, holding that it was error to deny the defendant’s motion to admit evidence under Rule 412(b)(1)(A) but that the error was harmless and that the evidence was sufficient to support the verdict.
(9-3*-0: Emfinger for the court; Westbrooks specially concurred, joined by McDonald and McCarty)

Other Orders

  • Armistad v. State, 2023-KA-00799-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Turner v. State, 2023-KA-01167-COA (denying rehearing)

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Mississippi Supreme Court Decisions of May 29, 2025

The Mississippi Supreme Court handed down two opinions today. One handles four consolidated cases on interlocutory appeal where the defendants contested consolidation and denial of severance. The other case is a direct appeal of murder convictions.

Freese v. Estate of Alford, 2023-IA-00332-SCT consolidated with 2023-IA-00333-SCT, 2023-IA-00335-SCT, 2023-IA-00336-SCT (Civil – Contract)
Affirming the circuit court’s decision adopting the special master’s recommendation granting the plaintiffs’ motions to consolidate claims related to the defendants’ handing and distribution of settlement funds from mass-tort actions and denying the defendants’ motions to sever and re-open discovery, holding that there was no error in consolidating the cases under Rule 20(a), there was no error consolidating under Rule 42(a) and denying severance under Rule 42(b), and there was no abuse of discretion in denying the defendants’ motions to re-open discovery.
(9-0)

Coleman v. State, 2023-KA-01103-SCT (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of two counts of first-degree murder, holding that the verdict was not against the overwhelming weight of the evidence.
(9-0)

Other Orders

  • Eason v. South Central Regional Medical Center, 2023-CT-00261-SCT (denying cert)
  • Williams v. State, 2023-CT-00346-SCT (denying cert)
  • In the Interest of A.R.H., a Minor: Malone v. Jackson County Department of Child Protection Services, 2023-CT-00420-SCT (granting cert)
  • Simmons v. State, 2023-CT-00518-SCT (denying cert)
  • Hawkins v. State, 2023-KA-00978-SCT (denying rehearing)

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Mississippi Court of Appeals Decisions of May 27, 2025

The Mississippi Court of Appeals handed down five opinions today, all civil cases. There is a divorce case, a grandparent visitation case, a wrongful death summary judgment case, a workers’ comp case, and the obligatory PCR case.

Brownlee v. Brownlee, 2023-CA-01044-COA (Civil – Domestic Relations)
Affirming grant of divorce on the ground of habitual cruel and inhuman treatment, holding that divorce on this ground does not have to be supported by corroborating evidence.
(10-0)

McDonald v. Pruwitt, 2023-CA-01312-COA (Civil – Custody)
Affirming in part and reversing in part the chancellor’s grant of grandparent visitation, holding that the chancellor did not err in finding that the grandmother proved the statutory elements but that the chancellor erred in failing to analyze the Martin factors.
(10-0)

Fisher v. All About Painting and Cleaning, Inc., 2023-CA-01289-COA (Civil – Wrongful Death)
Affirming summary judgment in favor of the employer of a man who ingested kratom and oxycodone laced with fentanyl on an unpaid lunch break and then struck four airmen with his vehicle on a walking path killing one and injuring three others, holding that the employer was not vicariously liable because the employee was not in the course and scope of employment or performing any act in furtherance of his employment at the time of the collision.
(10-0)

Thomas v. Nissan North America, Inc., 2024-WC-00553-COA (Civil – Workers’ Comp)
Affirming the MWCC’s decision that the claimant did not sustain an industrial loss of use that was greater than his 5% medical impairment, holding that the Commission’s decision was based on substantial evidence where the claimant was able to continue his pre-injury job with some modified duties.
(7-3-0: Westbrooks, McDonald, and Mccarty concurred in the result and conclusion without writing)

Nelson v. State, 2023-CP-00647-COA (Civil – PCR)
Affirming denial of PCR motion after a hearing, holding that the trial court did not err in finding no merit to arguments about the sufficiency of the indictment, sufficiency of the evidence, and ineffective assistance of counsel.
(10-0)

Other Orders

  • Wilson v. State, 2023-CP-01050-COA (rehearing denied)
  • Baker v. State, 2023-KA-01111-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Walker v. State, 2025-TS-00079-COA (dismissing appeal as untimely)
  • Fortune v. State, 2025-TS-00392-COA (granting motion for leave to proceed with untimely direct appeal)

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