Opinion ID: 1879070
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Whether the prosecution impermissibly expanded the ambit of the avoiding arrest aggravator.

Text: ¶ 16. Over defense counsel's objection, the trial court instructed the jury to consider, as an aggravating factor, that the murder was committed in order to avoid arrest. Austin claims that the submission of this aggravating factor was improper because the prosecution presented no evidence that would bring Austin's crime within the normal ambit of the rule. ¶ 17. Again, this issue is not properly before the Court. The avoiding arrest aggravator relates specifically to the death penalty. Since the jury did not return a death penalty verdict, Austin cannot now claim that he suffered prejudice as a result of the use of such factor. Austin requests a new sentencing hearing. However, because the jury returned a verdict of life imprisonment without parole, the State would be prohibited from seeking the death penalty again. Lanier v. State, 635 So.2d 813 (Miss.1994). Consequently, the issue is moot.