Title: Thompson v. State

State: mississippi

Issuer: Mississippi Supreme Court

Document:

602 So. 2d 1185 (1992) Robert THOMPSON, Sr. v. STATE of Mississippi. No. 89-KA-1016. Supreme Court of Mississippi. July 8, 1992. *1186 Jackson M. Brown, Starkville, James A. Walters, Walters & Easley, Columbus, for appellant. Michael C. Moore, Atty. Gen., John R. Henry, Jr., Sp. Asst. Atty. Gen., Jackson, for appellee. Before ROY NOBLE LEE, C.J., and ROBERTSON and SULLIVAN, JJ. SULLIVAN, Justice, for the Court: Robert Thompson, Sr. (Thompson) was indicted for the murder of Sammy Lee Clayburn (Clayburn) and was convicted of manslaughter in the Circuit Court of Lowndes County and sentenced to serve a term of twelve (12) years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Because of erroneous jury instructions, this case is reversed and remanded for a new trial. Thompson owned and operated a lounge-bar in Lowndes County, which was located in a sheet metal building with a concrete floor. Pool tables, game machines, and a jukebox were located in close proximity to the bar, with tables and chairs for the patrons. On December 14, 1987, Clayburn, who had a broken ankle and used crutches, visited the bar during the morning hours. According to Thompson, Clayburn "got some beer" and left. About an hour and a half later, Clayburn returned with a pistol stuck in his pants, and the following conversation took place: When Thompson returned from West Point, Clayburn was seated at one of the tables in the lounge. His head was slumped over and according to Walter Young, "he had one too many." There were several patrons of the lounge present at that time. Testimony of those present is somewhat less than harmonious. Thompson's recollection of the fatal shooting was: However, the testimony of Willie Bash, Jr., was: Walter Young testified: Willie Lee Henry testified that when the fatal shots were fired, Clayburn was not saying or doing anything, his right hand was on the side, his left hand was down, he had nothing in either hand, and he was not reaching with any hand for anything. Clayburn was shot twice with a .22 caliber pistol fired by Thompson. One bullet entered the front of his neck, and another struck his chin and entered his chest. Clayburn died from these wounds. Law enforcement officers called to the bar found Clayburn lying on the floor in a pool of blood with a .32 caliber pistol underneath him. During trial, Thompson elicited on cross-examination of Walter Young, a State witness, that a relative of Clayburn had cut Thompson's throat on an earlier occasion. Merle Morton testified that some two weeks prior to the fatal occurrence, Clayburn told Morton there was a conflict between Thompson and two cousins of Clayburn and that he [Clayburn] was going to shoot Thompson. On cross-examination, Morton stated that the cousins' conflict with Clayburn resulted from some trouble they had started in the lounge. Thompson attempted to testify about the details of the trouble between himself and Clayburn's cousins. Objection to the relevancy of this testimony was sustained by the trial court. No proffer of that testimony was made outside the presence of the jury. Thompson appeals assigning three errors: 1. The trial court committed reversible error in refusing to admit testimony offered by Thompson of prior difficulties with cousins of Clayburn; 2. The jury was inadequately and improperly instructed on the issue of self-defense, aggressiveness, and trespass; and 3. The verdict of the jury was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence. Thompson's argument about the trial judge's refusal to permit testimony showing that Clayburn had resumed a previous difficulty his relatives had with Thompson is without foundation because: (a) No proffer of the excluded testimony was made by Thompson in order to preserve the point for appeal; (b) Thompson already had before the court and jury testimony showing (1) that one of Clayburn's relatives had cut his throat, (2) that conflict existed between Thompson and Clayburn's cousins, and (3) that Clayburn had threatened to shoot Thompson. We adhere to the rule that a record proffer of excluded testimony must be made to preserve the point for appeal. Gates v. State, 484 So. 2d 1002, 1008 (Miss. 1986). Also, ample evidence of the prior difficulty between Thompson and Clayburn's relatives, as well as the threat made by Clayburn, were already before the jury. Details of the previous difficulty were not admissible. Ladner v. State, 197 So. 2d 257, 263 (Miss. 1967); Hardy v. State, 143 Miss. 352, 108 So. 727 (1926). This assignment of error is without merit. Over objections by Thompson, the trial court granted the following instructions assigned as error on appeal: An examination of the record reveals there was no evidence to undergird the instructions. Thompson was owner-operator of a lounge engaged in the business of selling intoxicating liquor to patrons. His business also offered patrons use of pool tables and game machines. Common sense dictates that it is not unusual for one in Thompson's position and surroundings to maintain access to a pistol or other type of firearm on exceedingly short notice of its need. On the other hand, Clayburn had "lounged" around the premises most of the day armed with a loaded pistol. He tried to sell or pawn it to Thompson who declined and requested Clayburn to "take that outside and leave it in the car." Clayburn replied by stating, "Where I go, my pistol goes." Thompson then requested Clayburn to take his pistol and leave. When Thompson returned from his trip to West Point, Clayburn was still in the lounge, intoxicated, and in possession of the pistol. The stage was set for confrontation between the parties. The ensuing fatal encounter involves disputed facts. The jury should have been properly instructed on the issue of self defense. There was no evidentiary basis for the instructions preempting Thompson of his self defense theory. We have consistently, painstakingly, and repeatedly cautioned and admonished bench and bar that instructions such as S-6 and S-7 should be given only in the exceedingly rare circumstances where the facts meet all the required elements necessary to preempt a defendant's right to claim self defense. Williams v. State, 482 So. 2d 1136, 1138-39 (Miss. 1986); Barnes v. State, 457 So. 2d 1347 (Miss. 1984); McMullen v. State, 291 So. 2d 537 (Miss. 1974); Patrick v. State, 285 So. 2d 165 (Miss. 1973); Craft v. State, 271 So. 2d 735 (Miss. 1973); Ellis v. State, 208 So. 2d 49 (Miss. 1968); and Tate v. State, 192 So. 2d 923 (Miss. 1966). See also; Thompson v. State, 190 Miss. 639, 200 So. 715 (1941); Brown v. State, 186 Miss. 734, 191 So. 818 (1939); Vance v. State, 182 Miss. 840, 183 So. 280 (1938); Coleman v. State, 179 Miss. 661, 176 So. 714 (1937); Lee v. State, 138 Miss. 474, 103 So. 233 (1925); Adams v. State, 136 Miss. 298, 101 So. 437 (1924); Garner v. State, 93 Miss. 843, 47 So. 500 (1908); Pulpus v. State, 82 Miss. 548, 34 So. 2 (1903); Lofton v. State, 79 Miss. 723, 31 So. 420 (1902); and Prine v. State, 73 Miss. 838, 19 So. 711 (1896). The record in this case is devoid of proof that Thompson armed himself with a firearm and provoked the encounter with the intent to use the weapon to overcome Clayburn. Moreover, all of us recognize that a wrongful act provoking a fatal encounter does not by itself deprive one of self defense. In Lucas v. State, 109 Miss. 82, 90, 67 So. 851, 852 (1915), this court stated: In McMullen v. State, 291 So. 2d 537 (Miss. 1974), we reversed to prevent "manifest injustice" when an instruction in the abstract preempting self defense was granted and the defendant made no objection at trial. The words of wisdom set out in Lofton v. State, 79 Miss. 723, 734, 31 So. 420, 421 (1902) are worth repeating: Ninety years after this Court spoke to this issue in Lofton v. State we find ourselves again reminding the bench and bar of this State that those who are ignorant of their history are condemned to repeat it. The bench and bar have an obligation to provide juries with proper, uncomplicated and understandable instructions. This is what Lofton and its progeny were all about, although the articulation apparently remains unheeded. The admonitions of Lofton are a line drawn in the sand and they are clear and visible. We again say to the bench and bar that an instruction estopping one from asserting self defense is never proper except in the few rare cases where all the elements of estoppel are clearly present. The reason for permitting a self defense theory to be decided by a jury far out-weighs the reasons for estopping one from asserting this most basic right. The right of self defense is firmly ingrained in the common law and our heritage. This alone should persuade prosecutorial authorities to stop, think, ponder, and assess the facts carefully, before running the risk of reversal by requesting this often condemned charge. We do not forget the rule that if instructions correctly state the law when read together as a whole, there is no reversible error. Roberts v. State, 458 So. 2d 719, 721 (Miss. 1984); Hickombottom v. State, 409 So. 2d 1337 (Miss. 1982); Anderson v. State, 397 So. 2d 81 (Miss. 1981); Norman v. State, 385 So. 2d 1298 (Miss. 1980). Also, if an error in one instruction is cured by another when the instructions are considered as a whole, the error will not be reversible. Roberts, at 721; Church v. State, 288 So. 2d 855 (Miss. 1974) (Appeal after remand), 317 So. 2d 386 (Miss. 1975), cert. den., 423 U.S. 1016, 96 S. Ct. 450, 46 L. Ed. 2d 388 (1975). Here Thompson requested and was granted two self defense instructions in the form attached as Appendix "A" to this opinion. The granting of these instructions, however, was insufficient to cure the court's error in granting S-6 and S-7 because we also recognize the rule that "when the court gives inconsistent instructions on a material issue, this violates the principle that the instructions must not mislead the jury and therefore must be consistent and harmonious. The fact that one instruction is correct does not cure the error in giving another that is inconsistent *1191 with it." Smith v. United States, 230 F.2d 935, 939 (6th Cir.1956). See also Perez v. United States, 297 F.2d 12 (5th Cir.1961). Furthermore, "the jury should not be required to determine which part of a contradictory charge is correct." Polansky v. United States, 332 F.2d 233, 236 (1st Cir.1964). Here, the defense instructions told the jury that if certain facts existed the accused had the right to be acquitted because of self defense. The State's instructions then told the jury that it makes no difference if the facts set forth in the defense instructions exist; that the defendant had no right to claim self defense if facts (not supported by the record) were found. The jury should not be placed in this type of predicament while deciding a citizen's fate. When read together the State and defense instructions do not correctly state the law under the adduced evidence and resolved facts. The evidence does not support State Instructions S-6 and S-7. The defendant's instructions on self defense cannot cure the State's deficiency. The instructions under these circumstances are conflicting and the error occasioned by the granting of them is reversible. We therefore reverse and remand this case for a new trial. REVERSED AND REMANDED TO THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, FOR A NEW TRIAL. ROY NOBLE LEE, C.J., HAWKINS and DAN M. LEE, P.JJ., and ROBERTSON, PITTMAN, BANKS and McRAE, JJ., concur. PRATHER, J., not participating. The Court instructs the jury that an owner of his business being on the premises where he has a right to be, may act in defense of himself and his business. When an owner, so situated, is confronted with a threatened assault is not required to retreat in the face of such threatened assault, regardless of its character, and may stand his ground, to repel force with force and may increase his force, so as not only to resist but also to overcome the assault. Now if you find from the evidence in this case that Robert Thompson was the owner of the DX and was faced with a threatened assault by Sammie Lee Clayborn, then in that event Robert Thompson had no duty to retreat but was entitled to stand his ground and repel the force of Sammie Lee Clayborn with force, so as not only to resist but to overcome the assault. A person has the right to preserve peace in his place of business and may by force, if necessary, evict persons guilty of misbehavior, and a person who is the aggressor and at fault may not resist the right of the owner to evict. The Court instructs the jury that Robert Thompson was not under an obligation to wait to see if Sammie Lee Clayborn was going to shoot him before he took action to defend himself from an attack by Sammie Lee Clayborn and if you find from the evidence that Robert Thompson shot and killed Sammie Lee Clayborn without knowing for certain that Sammie Lee Clayborn was about to shoot him, and that it was reasonably apparent to a reasonable well disposed man of average prudence that Sammie Lee Clayborn was in the act of trying to shoot Robert Thompson, then you shall find the defendant not guilty. [1] Bo was the nickname for Clayburn.