Tag: Sufficency and Weight of Evidence

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 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 13 and May 20, 2025

The Mississippi Court of Appeals handed down six opinions last week and a hearty eleven today. There are some interesting cases in the mix and a summary of each is below.

May 13, 2025

May v. May, 2023-CA-01022-COA, consolidated with 2023-M-01401-COA (Civil – Domestic Relations)
Vacating the chancellor’s order of contempt for failure to pay child support but affirming his denial of the motion to recuse, holding that the chancery court did not have personal jurisdiction for purposes of a contempt ruling for want of service under Rule 81, but that although the chancellor erred in finding that the motion for recusal was untimely it was nevertheless within his discretion to deny it.
(9-1-0: Lawrence concurred in result only without writing)

Fortner v. IMS Engineers, Inc., 2023-CA-01170-COA (Civil – Personal Injury)
Affirming summary judgment in favor of a company that had been engaged to oversee and manage road improvement projects until about ten months before a fatal accident occurred, holding that there was no evidence that the company owed a duty of care once its involvement ended and the City took over the management role.
(8-1-0: Wilson concurred in part and in the result without writing; Carlton did not participate)

Horne v. Dolgencorp LLC, 2024-CA-00376-COA (Civil – Personal Injury)
Affirming summary judgment in a trip-and-fall case after a customer tripped on merchandise in an aisle, holding that there was no evidence that the store had actual or constructive knowledge of the presence of the dangerous condition.
(8-2: Westbrooks and McDonald dissented without writing)

Shipley v. Shipley, 2023-CA-00814-COA (Civil – Custody)
Affirming judgment modifying the custody arrangement by giving the mother sole physical and legal custody, holding that the chancellor did not err in modifying physical and legal custody based the mother’s relocation to Oregon, that the chancellor’s did not err by failing to consider the totality of the circumstances, that the chancellor did not give undue weight to one Albright factor, and that the argument that the chancellor erred by not sua sponte appointing a GAL to investigate allegations of abuse was procedurally barred, and declining to address child support in after ruling that the chancellor did not err in its custody decision.
(7-3: Wilson dissented, joined by Carlton and Emfinger)

Magyar v. Shiers, 2023-CA-00682-COA (Torts – Other)
Affirming bench trial decision finding the defendant liable for malicious prosecution and awarding compensatory and punitive damages, holding that there was evidence to support each element of malicious prosecution where the defendant had filed charging affidavits against the plaintiffs alleging that they were intentionally damaging his property by allowing sewage from a leaking septic system to run into his property but the justice court dismissed the charges for lack of evidence.
(10-0)

Mueller Industries, Inc. v. Waits, 2023-WC-00494-COA (Civil – Workers’ Comp)
Reversing the Commission’s decision ordering a lump sum payment, holding that the information in the record did not permit the Court to review the Commission’s computations of TPD and remanding for the Commission to determine whether TPD was properly calculated and credited, determine whether the claimant received more than the maximum weekly benefit and whether the Employer/Carrier should receive a credit for overpayment, and ensure that the Employer/Carrier was not charged with penalties or interest after the date the Commission found that no further benefits were owed.
(8-2: Westbrooks concurred in part and dissented in part, joined by McDonald and joined in part by McCarty)

Other Orders

  • Mount v. State, 2023-KA-00807-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Begnaud v. Begnaud, 2023-CA-00822-COA (denying rehearing)
  • In the Matter of Estate of Tate: Garfield v. Tate, 2023-CA-01262-COA (denying rehearing)

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May 20, 2025

Mask v. Baggett, 2024-CA-00181-COA (Civil – Domestic Relations)
Affirming the chancellor’s decisions denying a motion for contempt and attorney’s fees in a divorce action for lack of proof, holding that the chancellor’s finding that neither party had sufficient proof to support motions for contempt and attorney’s fees was supported by the record and lack of record, that the appellant failed to show that the chancellor abused his discretion by denying the Rule 59 motion due to clear error or manifest injustice.
(10-0)

Bickes v. Swain, 2024-CA-00187-COA (Civil – Personal Injury)
Affirming summary judgment in favor of the mother of the bride and the venue in a premises liability suit filed by a wedding guest who hurt his leg stepping off a porch at the venue, holding that the circuit court did not err in granting summary judgment without conducting a hearing that had been set and that summary judgment was proper because there was no evidence of a dangerous condition that could support liability regardless of whether the plaintiff was classified as a licensee or an invitee.
(7-1-1: Westbrooks concurred in result only without writing; McDonald concurred in part and dissented in part without writing; Weddle did not participate)

Page v. State, 2024-CP-00613-COA (Civil – Other)
Affirming the circuit court’s rejection of the plaintiff’s motion for discovery in the circuit court in which he was convicted of attacking a woman with a knife two decades ago, holding that the circuit court did not err in rejecting the claim as a standalone claim separate from a PCR petition though the circuit court incorrectly “denied” the motion instead of “dismissing” the motion for lack of personal jurisdiction.
(10-0)

Jones v. State, 2023-KA-01157-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of armed robbery, holding that the circuit court did not commit plain error in excluding evidence of a witness’s prior convictions because the weight of evidence of guilt was overwhelming, that the Miranda violation arguments were procedurally barred and did not merit reversal under the plain error doctrine.
(9-1-0: Wilson concurred in part and in the result without writing)

Pickett v. State, 2024-KA-00511-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of one count of burglary of a dwelling with intent to commit a larceny, holding that the issue of the circuit court’s denial of the motions for directed verdict was procedurally barred and lacked merit because the evidence was sufficient and the verdict not against the overwhelming weight of the evidence and the circuit court did not err in denying the motions without making specific findings of fact.
(10-0)

Mortera v. Kona Villa Owners Association, Inc., 2023-CA-01297-COA (Civil – Property Damage)
Reversing summary judgment that was entered in favor of an HOA that declined to pursue a property damage claim on behalf of a condo unit owner, holding that based on the bylaws and insurance policy terms there was a genuine fact dispute over the HOA’s status of a fiduciary.
(9-0)

Parrott v. Frierson, 2023-SA-01245-COA (Civil – State Boards and Agencies)
Affirming the chancery court’s dismissal of taxpayers’ petition appealing the Board of Tax Appeals’ order, holding that there was substantial evidence to support the chancellor’s finding that “yard sales” where the taxpayers purchased storage units and sold the contents were not isolated, casual, or occasional sales but sales made in the course of business and subject to sales tax, that the chancellor did not err in finding that the MDOR’s income tax assessment was prima facie correct, that the taxpayers did not overcome the presumption of correctness, and that the chancellor properly affirmed assessment of penalties and interest.
(10-0)

Forrest County General Hospital v. Knight, 2023-WC-01277-COA (Civil – Workers’ Comp)
Affirming the Commission’s order that affirmed the AJ’s order that the claimant suffered an 80% industrial loss of use of the right leg and reducing it to 60% due to apportionment but reversed the AJ’s finding of no loss of wage-earning capacity and awarded 15% LWEC for the low back injury, holding that under the deferential standard of review there was evidence to support the Commission’s decision.
(10-0)

Roach v. Roach, 2024-CA-00236-COA (Civil – Domestic Relations)
Affirming the chancery court’s denial of the ex-wife’s Rule 60(b) motion after the ex-husband was granted a divorce on the grounds of habitual cruel and inhumane treatment, holding that the chancery court did not err in finding that service of process by certified mail was proper and that the ex-wife failed to show exceptional circumstances related to her claim that her prior attorney was ineffective warranting relief under Rule 60(b).
(10-0)

Allen & Smith Insurance Agency, Inc. v. Merrill, 2023-CA-00468-COA (Civil – Contract)
Affirming summary judgment granted in favor of a former employee in a breach of contract claim alleging violations of a non-compete agreement, holding that the court had appellate jurisdiction even though the judgment did not include the language “no just reason for delay” and that the circuit court did not err in finding certain provisions ambiguous and striking them from the agreement.
(5-5: Carlton and Emfinger concurred in part and dissented in part; Wilson dissented, joined by Barnes, and McCarty and joined in party by Carlton and Emfinger)

NOTE – I hope this one goes up on cert. My impression is that the holding of the principal opinion would relax the Rule 54(b) standard as it has been enforced. In the meantime, I would not stop putting all of the Rule 54(b) magic language in your judgments.

Strong v. Acara Solutions, Inc., 2024-CA-00455-COA (Civil – Personal Injury)
Reversing summary judgment in favor of the defendant based on judicial estoppel after the plaintiff failed to disclose this personal injury claim in her bankruptcy proceedings, holding that the “acceptance” element of judicial estoppel was not met where the bankruptcy as dismissed without a discharge.
(8-2: Emfinger dissented, joined by Wilson)

Other Orders

  • Culbertson v. State, 2023-KA-00588-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Boone v. State, 2023-KA-00684-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Gibson v. State, 2023-KA-00704-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Grimes v. State, 2023-KA-01254-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Burnette v. State, 2023-CP-01330-COA (denying rehearing)

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Mississippi Court of Appeals Decisions of May 6, 2025

The Mississippi Court of Appeals handed down nine opinions today. There are several felonies, a wrongful death summary judgment case, a workers’ compensation intoxication case, a wills and estate case, and a few PCR cases. Interestingly enough, the last two PCR cases resulted in voting-line-soup pluralities.

Carr v. State, 2024-KA-00185-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of fondling and sexual battery, holding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying funding for a defense expert, that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in allowing testimony about other alleged prior bad acts, that one conviction of fondling did not merge with the conviction of sexual battery, and that the indictment was not insufficient for the defendant to prepare an adequate defense.
(9-1-0: St. Pe’ opinion; McCarty concurred in part and in the result without writing)

Smith v. State, 2024-KA-00162-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming convictions of ten counts of possession of child pornography but reversing convictions of two counts of sexual battery, holding that the evidence was not sufficient to support the sexual battery convictions, but that the doctrine of retroactive misjoinder did not require reversal of the other convictions and remanded to reconsider sentencing.
(10-0: Weddle opinion)

Good v. Sanders, 2023-CA-00669-COA (Civil – Wrongful Death)
Affirming the trial court’s grant of summary judgment in a wrongful death case where a pedestrian was struck and killed by a driver, holding that there was no evidence that the defendant breached any duty owed to the pedestrian and that the trial judge did not abuse her discretion in not recusing herself.
(7-3*-0: Lawrence opinion; Westbrooks specially concurred, joined by Weddle and St. Pe’ and joined in part by McCarty; McCarty concurred in part and in the result without writing)

Ruffin v. State, 2024-CA-00867-COA (Civil – PCR)
Affirming denial of PCR motion where the petitioner failed to include a supporting affidavit with her PCR motion and acknowledged at her plea hearing that she was freely and voluntarily admitting her guilt.
(9-1-0: McDonald opinion; Wilson concurred in part and in the result without writing)

Estate of Anderson: Brown v. Fitzgerald, 2023-CA-01131-COA (Civil – Wills, Trusts & Estates)
Affirming the chancellor’s decision setting aside a deed and ordering conveyance pursuant to the will, holding that substantial evidence supports the chancellor’s findings that the testator suffered from a weakness of intellect and the consideration for the deed was grossly inadequate.
(10-0: Wilson opinion)

Nicolaou v. State, 2023-CP-01007-COA (Civil – PCR)
Vacating the circuit court’s denial of a PCR motion as successive because the circuit court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate it.
(10-0: Carlton opinion)

Ladner v. Hinton Homes LLC, 2024-WC-00941-COA (Civil – Workers’ Comp)
Affirming the MWCC’s decision that a claim was not compensable under the intoxication provision, holding that substantial evidence supported the MWCC’s finding that the claimant failed to prove that intoxication was not a contributing cause of the accident.
(8-2-0: Carlton opinion; Westbrooks and McDonald concurred in result only without writing)

Taylor v. State, 2023-CA-00738-COA (Civil – PCR)
Affirming denial of a PCR motion, holding that although the sentence exceeded the maximum the PCR motion was barred by the statute of limitations.
(3-2-5: Wilson principal opinion; Emfinger concurred in part and in the result without writing; Lawrence concurred in part and in the result, joined by Emfinger, Weddle, and Set. Pe’, and joined in part by Westbrooks and McCarty; McDonald dissented without writing; McCarty dissented, joined by Barnes, Carlton, Westbrooks, and McDonald.)

Underwood v. State, 2024-CP-00423-COA (Civil – PCR)
Affirming denial of PCR motion, holding that the trial court did not err in denying the claims that the petitioner’s plea was involuntary and that his attorney rendered ineffective assistance.
(4-1-4: McCarty principal opinion; Westbrooks concurred in result only without writing; Lawrence concurred in part and dissented in part, joined by Wilson, Emfinger, and St. Pe’; Weddle did not participate.)

Other Orders

  • Nailer v. State, 2023-KA-00627-COA (denying rehearing)

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Mississippi Court of Appeals Decisions of April 29, 2025

The Mississippi Court of Appeals handed down two opinions today. One is a PCR case and the other is a direct appeal of a felony conviction. Not much to upsell today.

Harris v. State, 2024-CA-00231-COA (Civil – PCR)
Affirming denial of PCR motion, holding that the ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim lacked merit.
(10-0)

McGee v. State, 2023-KA-00083-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of possession of a firearm by a felon, holding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by allowing evidence of his prior arrest, that the conviction was supported by sufficient evidence, that the claim that the indictment was procedurally barred because it was not raised in the trial court, that the search of the defendant’s car was not illegal, and that the defendant was not subject to an ex post facto violation.
(8-2-0: McDonald concurred in part and in the result without writing; Westbrooks concurred in the result only without writing)

Other Orders

  • Fox v. State, 2023-KA-00596-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Young v. Martin, 2023-CA-00980-COA (denying rehearing)

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Mississippi Court of Appeals Decisions of April 1, 2025

The Mississippi Court of Appeals handed down six opinions today. One case is a relatively novel appeal of a chancellor’s decision denying a name-change petition. There is also an MTCA/breach of contract/inverse condemnation case along with a couple of felony appeals and a couple of PCR cases.

Haralson v. State, 2023-CP-01309-COA (Civil – PCR)
Affirming denial of PCR motion challenging revocation of post-release supervision, holding that the trial court did not err in summarily dismissing the motion.
(10-0)

Hatchett v. State, 2024-KA-00100-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of one count of sexual battery, holding that the conviction was not against the overwhelming weight of the evidence.
(9-0: Emfinger did not participate)

Hulitt v. State, 2024-CA-00182-COA (Civil – PCR)
Affirming dismissal of motion for PCR, holding that the trial court that adjudicated the charged offenses to which he pleaded guilty was a county of venue.
(7-2-0: Westbrooks and McDonald concurred in result only without writing; Emfinger did not participate)

Rogers v. City of Lumberton, 2023-CA-01133-COA (Civil – Property Damage)
Affirming in part and reversing in part the circuit court’s order granting the City’s motion to dismiss, holding that the trial court did not err in dismissing the plaintiff’s negligence claims for non-compliance with the pre-suit notice requirements of the MTCA or in dismissing the breach of contract claim, but that the trial court did err in dismissing the inverse condemnation claim because it was not subject to the pre-suit requirements of the MTCA.
(10-0)

In Re Name Change: Petitioner Yasmine Montia Jones, By and Through Her Guardian and Conservator, John D. K. Taylor, 2023-CA-01343-COA (Civil – Other)
Reversing the chancery court’s decision denying a petition to change the last name of a adult woman with disabilities, holding that the chancellor improperly substituted his judgment for that of the guardian without sufficient evidentiary support.
(8-2: Wilson dissented, joined by Lawrence)

Phinizee v. State, 2023-KA-01090-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of conspiracy and attempt to commit murder, holding that the conviction for conspiracy to commit murder was supported by sufficient evidence, that the trial court did not err by excluding hearsay testimony that the victim previously attacked the defendant, and that the trial court did not err in refusing the defendant’s requested instruction on the lesser offense of aggravated domestic violence.
(10-0)

Other Orders

  • Pilot Travel Centers, LLC v. Womack, 2023-CA-00035-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Alexander v. State, 2023-KA-00331-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Williams v. State, 2023-KA-00346-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Patton v. State, 2023-CP-00618-COA (denying rehearing)
  • The University of Mississippi Medical Center v. Redd, 2023-CA-00711-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Mallard v. State, 2023-CP-01155-COA (denying rehearing)

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Mississippi Court of Appeals Decisions of March 25, 2025

The Mississippi Court of Appeals handed down eight opinions today. One opinion is an appeal from a hybrid MTCA/common law med mal trial that cites a law journal article I wrote several years ago on an unresolved procedural conundrum. There is also a premises liability summary judgment case, a breach of contract/attorney’s fees case, three direct criminal appeals, and two PCR cases.

Brown v. State, 2023-CA-00921-COA (Civil – PCR)
Affirming denial of PCR, holding that the trial court did not err in summarily dismissing the PCR petition as time-barred.
(10-0)

Foote v. Memorial Hospital at Gulfport, 2023-CA-00504-COA (Civil – Med Mal)
Affirming the circuit court’s judgment in a med mal action against a hospital (a public entity) and a surgeon and the surgeon’s clinic (private entities) after a single, bifurcated bench and jury trial in which the trial court dismissed the claims against the hospital, holding that if the trial court relied on counsel’s closing statements as evidence it was error but harmless because there was sufficient evidence on the point, that the trial court did not err in finding that the plaintiff failed to present a prima facie case that the surgeon proximately caused or contributed to the injuries, and that the plaintiff failed to object to the jury’s involvement in the MTCA claim so the trial court did not err in partially bifurcating the trial where the jury decided the claims against the private defendants and gave an advisory verdict as to the public defendant, and that the trial court did not err in allowing the jury to allocate fault to the public defendant and the finding that the allocation was not supported by substantial evidence.
(7-2-1: Wilson and Emfinger concurred in part and in the result without writing, Lawrence dissented)

NOTE – I was excited to see one of my law review articles cited in this opinion. (If you are so inclined, you can read my article here.) There is no clear guidance from the rules or case law as to how trials should proceed when there a public defendant (entitled to a bench trial under the MTCA) and private defendant (entitled to a jury trial under Mississippi’s constitution, et al). I advocated for a specific procedure in the article that was cited in today’s opinion. In today’s case, the public defendant advocated for the procedure I proposed and the plaintiff argued for a different approach that involved the jury rendering an advisory verdict as to the public defendant. The trial court adopted the plaintiff’s approach. The plaintiff complained about the procedure on appeal, but the Court of Appeals held he could not argue that the trial court erred in following his proposal. Here is the Court of Appeals’ recapitulation of the argument following my proposal:

In 2016, the Rules Committee on Civil Procedure solicited input for a “Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure Revision Project.” I submitted a proposed amendment to Rule 38 along with a copy of my article:

I never did hear anything back.

Blumer v. Majestic Homes, LLC, 2024-CA-00163-COA (Civil – Contract)
Affirming in part and reversing in part the circuit court’s order granting summary judgment in favor of a homeowner against a home builder awarding liquidated damages, attoyne’s fees, and expenses, holding that the trial court did not err entering a corrected order granting relief under Rule 60(b) since there had been no judgment expressly adjudicating the remaining claims and that the trial court did not err in dismissing the claims against the home builder in his individual capacity, but that the trial court did err in reducing the award of attorney’s fees.
(9-0: Emfinger did not participate)

Dewberry v. State, 2023-KA-01135-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of one count of sexual battery, one count of fondling, and one count of child exploitation, holding that the trial court did not err in seating jurors after a Batson challenge and that a jury instruction did not constitute a constructive substantive amendment of a count in the indictment under the plain-error doctrine.
(10-0)

Rodriguez v. Diamondhead Country Club, 2024-CA-00238-COA (Civil – Torts)
Affirming summary judgment in favor of the defendant in a premises liability case, holding that the trial court did not err in finding that a one-half-inch height differential between sidewalk slabs was not a dangerous or unreasonably hazardous condition or in finding that there was no evidence to support a negligence per se claim under the ADA where the plaintiff was not disabled.
(10-0)

Thomas v. State, 2023-KA-00512-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of second-degree murder, holding that the trial court did not err in admitting a Facebook post, that the trial court did not err denying a directed verdict under Weathersby, that the conviction was support by sufficient evidence, that the verdict was not against the overwhelming weight of the evidence, that the trial court did not err in denying a motion to suppress the defendant’s statements to law enforcement, that the trial court did not err in admitting autopsy photos, and that the cumulative error doctrine did not apply.
(8-2-0: Emfinger concurred in part and in the result without writing; McDonald concurred in result only without writing)

Rasberry v. State, 2023-KA-01161-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of failing to register as a sex offender, holding that the lack of specificity in the indictment was at most harmless error, that the trial court did not err by granting an unopposed motion to amend the indictment, and that trial counsel was not ineffective.
(10-0)

Deer v. State, 2024-CP-00019-COA (Civil – PCR)
Affirming the dismissal of a PCR motion, holding that the trial court properly dismissed the motion pursuant to the UPCCRA’s three-year statute of limitations.
(9-0: Emfinger did not participate)

Other Orders

  • None

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Mississippi Supreme Court Decisions of March 20, 2025

The Mississippi Supreme Court handed down two opinions today in direct criminal appeals. One was on cert on a Confrontation Clause issue after the Court of Appeals affirmed a conviction.

Walker v. State, 2023-KA-01153-SCT (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of first-degree murder, shooting into occupied vehicle, and felony fleeing from law enforcement, holding that the trial court did not err in refusing a proposed lesser-included-offense jury instruction as to heat of passion manslaughter, that the conviction was supported by sufficient evidence and the verdict was not against the overwhelming weight of the evidence, that the trial court did not commit plain error by failing to exclude a portion of the defendant’s statement, that the jury instruction conference should have been on the record by the defendant was procedurally barred from raising the issue on appeal, and that the defendant did not demonstrate that trial counsel was ineffective.
(9-0)

Practice Point – When there is no transcript available…

The opinion concluded:

Pitts v. State, 2021-CT-00740-SCT (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of sexual battery, holding that the defendant’s rights under the Confrontation Clause were not violated where a screen was placed between a child witness and the defendant at trial.
(5-3-1: Maxwell concurred in result only, joined by Chamberlin and Griffis; King dissented)

Note – This opinion has a lengthy and detailed analysis of the Confrontation Clause.

Other Orders

  • Powers v. State, 2017-DR-00696-SCT (denying motion for relief under Rule 60(b)(6))
  • White v. The Home Depot, 2022-CT-00894-SCT (denying pro se cert petition)
  • Galang v. State, 2023-CT-00006-SCT (denying cert)
  • Corrothers v. State, 2023-CA-00401-SCT (denying rehearing)
  • Carroll v. State, 2023-CT-00688-SCT (denying pro se cert petition)
  • Toler v. State, 2023-KA-00712-SCT (denying rehearing)
  • In Re: Administrative Orders of the Supreme Court of Mississippi, 2025-AD-00001-SCT (appointing Timothy Lewis as Deputy Marshal of the Supreme Court of Mississippi)

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Mississippi Court of Appeals Decisions of March 11, 2025

The Mississippi Court of Appeals handed down four opinions today. Two criminal appeal (one with a reversal), a sales tax liability case, and a 12(b)(6) dismissal of a tort suit against an attorney for filing a motion to quash a post-trial deposition subpoena on behalf of a client.

McCoy V. Graham, 2024-CA-00286-COA (Civil – State Boards & Agencies)
Affirming summary judgment in favor of the DOR assessment of tax liabilities for failure to pay sales tax, holding that the evidence showed that the DOR filed its responsible person assessment within thirty-six months from the date the tax liability became final.
(10-0)

Sullivant v. Freeland, 2023-CP-01393-COA (Civil – Other)
Affirming order granting motion to dismiss complaint and denying the motion to amend the complaint, holding that the plaintiff’s tort suit against an attorney who moved to quash the plaintiff’s post-trial deposition on behalf of a client in another case failed to state a claim under Rule 12(b)(6) and that any amendment would be futile.
(10-0)

Harper v. State, 2022-KA-00758-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming in part and reversing in part after convictions of three counts of culpable negligence manslaughter and one count of felony fleeing, holding that the prosecution for the offense of felony fleeing was not commenced within two years of the date of the offense and was therefore barred by the statute of limitations, and remanding for resentencing on the three counts of culpable negligence manslaughter.
(7-3: Westbrooks dissented, joined by McDonald, and Lawrence)

Jordan v. State, 2023-KA-01222-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of first degree murder, holding that there was sufficient evidence to support the conviction and that the verdict was not against the overwhelming weight of the evidence.
(10-0)

Other Orders

  • Tisdale v. South Central Regional Medical Center, 2023-CA-00231-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Eason v. South Central Regional Medical Center, 2023-CA-00261-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Baker v. State, 2023-KA-01111-COA (recalling mandate to allow pro se motion for rehearing to proceed on its merits)
  • Collins v. State, 2024-TS-01333-COA (granting motion to proceed out of time)
  • Siggers v. State, 2025-TS-00041-COA (finding pro se appellant’s response to show-cause issue well taken)
  • Ashby v. State, 2025-TS-00076-COA (allowing appeal to proceed on the merits)

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Mississippi Court of Appeals Decisions of March 4, 2025

The Mississippi Court of Appeals handed down five opinions today. Three of the cases involved state boards and agencies: one unemployment case, one termination case, and one case where a petitioner sought to amend or append his birth certificate. There are also two direct criminal appeals.

Darden v. MDES, 2024-CC-00159-COA (Civil – State Boards & Agencies)
Affirming denial of unemployment benefits as untimely, holding that substantial record evidence supported the circuit court’s order affirming the agency’s decision.
(10-0)

Jack v. City of Meridian, 2023-CC-01339-COA (Civil – State Boards & Agencies)
Affirming employment termination, holding that the decision was not arbitrary and capricious and not in good faith, that the city provided substantial evidence that the plaintiff violated policies, and that the evidence did not show that the plaintiff was arbitrarily treated differently from two white male officers.
(9-1-0: Lawrence concurred in result only without writing)

Malone-Bey v. Mississippi State Board of Health, 2024-SA-00288-COA (Civil – State Boards & Agencies)
Affirming the chancery court’s decision denying a petition to amend birth certificate to designate the petitioner’s race as “white: Asiatic/Moor,” holding that the chancery court correctly ruled that it lacked the authority to amend a birth certificate to include additional categories of information and that neither the Board or the chancery court violated the petitioner’s constitutional or civil rights.
(10-0)

Terry v. State, 2023-KA-00979-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of kidnapping, holding that the evidence was sufficient to sustain the kidnapping conviction, that the verdict was not against the weight of the evidence, that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by allowing the victim’s testimony about the crimes of co-defendants, and that the defendant’s proposed simple assault instruction was properly rejected.
(10-0)

McNaughton v. State, 2023-KA-01099-COA (Criminal – Felony)
Affirming conviction of second-degree murder after the defendant drove over his ex-girlfriend in a parking lost causing fatal injuries, holding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion admitting evidence of prior incidents of domestic abuse, that there was sufficient evidence to support the conviction, and that the conviction was not against the overwhelming weight of the evidence.
(9-1-0: Wesbtrooks concurred in result only without writing)

Other Orders

  • In the Interest of A.R.H., a Minor: Malone v. Jackson County Dept. of Child Protective Services, 2023-CA-00420-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Arnold v. State, 2023-KA-00519-COA (denying rehearing)
  • Cauthen v. State, 2023-KA-00589-COA (denying rehearing)

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