Source: https://janeslawblog.com/2017/12/13/decisions-coa-12-12-17/
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 12:47:07+00:00

Document:
violative of state law. Cratin appealed. The COA vacates and remands for a dismissal for want of jurisdiction since Cratin failed to serve MDOC via the AG’s office and his appeal was untimely.
Joshua Demien Magee v. State of Mississippi – impeachment with prior felony/tender years – Magee was convicted of two counts of sexual battery involving his 7-year-old cousin. On appeal he argues that it was error for the court to allow him to be impeached with the fact that he had a prior felony. The court finds the error waived. He argues that it was error for the court to allow hearsay statements made by the victim to come in under the tender years doctrine. The COA finds that the trial court made a thorough analysis of this issue and its decision to allow the statements was not an abuse of discretion. And, finally, he argues weight and sufficiency of the evidence. The COA affirms.
Maged Muthanna Saleh Qasoon v. State of Mississippi – sale of AB-FUBINACA – Maged Qasoon sold eight grams of synthetic marijuana or “spice” to a confidential informant. He was indicted and convicted for selling AB-FUBINACA. On appeal he argues that Mississippi’s schedule of controlled substances is unconstitutionally vague. The COA finds that Qasoon fails to cite any relevant authority. He next argues that the indictment was insufficient because it fails to sufficiently charge the defendant with notice of what substance he is charged with possessing. The indictment used the name AB-FUBINACA rather than the description used in the statute. The COA finds that “An indictment that uses a code or trade name for a controlled substance rather than a chemical description does not fail to allege a essential element.” He also raises sufficiency of the evidence. The COA affirms.
Persephany Allen, as the Natural Daughter and Next Friend of Catina Allen Staffney, Deceased, and on Behalf of All the Heirs at Law and Wrongful Death Beneficiaries of Catina Allen Staffney, Deceased, and as Next Friend of Minors, T.S. and T.S. v. Jackson Square Apartment Homes, LLC d/b/a Melrose Place Apartments and Justin Davis – premises liability – Catina Allen died in a fire at the Melrose Apartments. The Allens were tenants but were being evicted for non payment of rent. Cantina’s mother sued the complex for premises liability. Allen failed to respond to Jackson Square’s Request for Admissions. But when Jackson Square moved for summary judgment based in part on the admissions, the judge allowed Allen to withdraw the admissions. On appeal, Jackson Square argues that this was error. The COA finds that it was not an abuse of discretion to allow the admissions to be withdrawn. The trial court nonetheless granted summary judgment for Jackson Square on the grounds that Allen had provided no proof of negligence. Allen appealed and the COA affirms.
Latrice Jackson v. State of Mississippi – abuse of a vulnerable person/failure to grant a continuance – Jackson was employed as an assistant at Millcreek Behavioral Health Facility in Magee, Mississippi. When one of the disabled teenage residents refused to be bathed, Jackson grabbed her by the hair and dragged her to the bathroom. Another assistant reported Jackson who was fired and indicted. She was convicted and sentenced to 20 years with 15 to serve. On appeal she argues that the trial court erred in not granting her a continuance when she moved for and was given Mill Creek’s records – some 1000 pages – was delivered three weeks before trial. The COA affirms.
Hunter Lane Sarrett v. State of Mississippi – 404b evidence/timeliness of post trial motions – Hunter was convicted of several counts related to the sale of cathinone and alprezolam within 1,500 feet of a school. He was caught selling to a confidential informant. On appeal he argues that the court erred in denying his motion in limine to preclude evidence of other acts, crimes, or wrongs: namely that during the recording of the transaction, Sarrett stated he had been to “ten people’s houses” and had “eight more” to go, followed by the statement “business is picking up.” The circuit court found the statements were part of the same transaction as the drug sale and therefore denied the motion in limine to exclude the statements. The COA finds no error. He next argues that it was improper for the prosecutor to refer to “drops” in his closing argument. The COA finds that the prosecutor only mentions “drops” once when reciting what Sarraett said on tape. He argues that his attorney was ineffective for not objecting to the authenticity of certain exhibits. The COA finds the record insufficiently developed to reach that issue. Sarrett claims the verdict was against the weight and sufficiency and the court was wrong to refuse to consider his post trial motion because it was not filed within ten days of Sarrett’s conviction. The COA finds no error.
Ronald Benjamin Clements v. State of Mississippi – must file post-trial motion to preserve weight and sufficiency issues – Ronald Clements was convicted of child fondling and sentenced to serve fifteen years with seven years suspended. He did not file any post-trial motions. On appeal he argues weight and sufficiency of the evidence. The COA affirms finding that the issues are waived and meritless.

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