Opinion ID: 1131517
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: whether the trial court erred in declining to submit the matter of the lewis' sentencing to the jury.

Text: ¶ 48. In his sixth assignment of error, Lewis asserts that the trial court violated Rule 10.04(B) of the Mississippi Uniform Rules of Circuit and County Court Practice in that the trial judge sentenced Lewis to life imprisonment without providing a sentencing hearing before the jury on that determination. Contrary to Lewis' argument, Rule 10.04(B) does not mandate that he be given a sentencing hearing before a jury. The rule states, in pertinent part, If the defendant is found guilty of an offense for which life imprisonment may be imposed, a sentencing trial shall be held before the same jury, if possible, or before the court if jury waiver is allowed by the court. (Emphasis added.) This rule requires a sentencing hearing only where a life imprisonment sentence is optional. Here, however, a conviction under § 41-29-139(f) requires a life imprisonment sentence. Accordingly, this assignment of error is without merit.