Opinion ID: 1836662
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Whether, under the Prosecution's Own Theory, the Submission of the Great Risk of Death to Many Persons Violated Mississippi Law.

Text: ¶ 96. Flowers finally argues that the use of the aggravator violated Mississippi law. Flowers solely bases this argument on a statement made by the prosecutor in closing argument. The Assistant District Attorney stated: The Defendant went down to that store for the purpose of seeing Bertha Tardy. Derrick Stewart had been there two days, and Robert Golden had been there, that was his first day. He had no idea those two individuals would be there. Because of this statement, Flowers argues the State admitted Flowers had no idea two of the other victims would be in the store that day; therefore, he could not knowingly create[ ] a great risk of death to anyone other than Bertha Tardy, his intended victim. ¶ 97. The State argues that the evidence clearly supports the submission of this aggravator. The same weapon was used to commit all four murders, and testimony linked Flowers to this weapon. Eyewitness testimony placed Flowers near the scene of the crime. There was also evidence that Mrs. Tardy had docked Flowers's paycheck after an incident regarding some batteries. The State argues, and we agree, that the jury could have inferred Flowers deliberately killed Mrs. Tardy and robbed the store. ¶ 98. There was also evidence that three other people were killed during the robbery. Flowers was a former employee of Tardy Furniture, so he was aware Bertha Tardy, Carmen Rigby, and other employees would be present at the store. Because the murders took place while the store was open for business, it was also likely that customers could have been in the store. All this evidence supports the jury's finding that this aggravated circumstance existed. ¶ 99. This aggravator was properly submitted to the jury and did not violate Mississippi law. This Court finds this issue to be without merit. ¶ 100. In conclusion, the use of the great risk of death to many persons as an aggravator in the sentencing phase of this trial did not violate Flowers's Eighth or Fifth Amendment rights, nor did it violate Mississippi law. This issue is without merit.