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)
Mississippi Appeals Blog 