Opinion ID: 1913318
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 21

Heading: did the trial court err in denying holland's motion for individual sequestered voir dire?

Text: ¶ 105. Holland asserts that the trial court's denial of individual sequestered voir dire was error, given the publicity and circumstances in this case. Holland cites no authority for this issue, and it is accordingly barred. Clark v. State, 503 So.2d 277, 280 (Miss. 1987); Pate v. State, 419 So.2d 1324, 1325-26 (Miss. 1982). ¶ 106. Procedural bar notwithstanding, alternatively we address the issue on the merits. This Court has consistently held that individual sequestered voir dire is not required under Mississippi Uniform Criminal Rule of Circuit Court Practice 5.02. See, e.g., Russell v. State, 607 So.2d 1107, 1110 (Miss. 1992), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 117 S.Ct. 436, 136 L.Ed.2d 333 (1996); see Hansen, supra ; Pate v. State, 419 So.2d at 1325-26. Moreover, the trial court allowed individual sequestered voir dire when warranted during jury selection in this case. It cannot be said that the trial court abused its discretion in denying individual sequestered voir dire of each and every prospective juror. Limited individual sequestered voir dire was allowed as was individual voir dire in front of the entire panel. We hold that this issue is without merit.