Opinion ID: 1094779
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Two-theory Instruction

Text: Petti argues the trial judge committed reversible error when he refused to grant jury instruction D-7, a so-called two-theory charge, which reads as follows: The Court instructs the jury that if there be facts or circumstances in this case susceptible of two interpretations, one favorable and the other unfavorable to the accused, and when the jury has considered such facts and circumstances with all the other evidence, there is a reasonable doubt as to the correct interpretation, then you must resolve such doubt in favor of the accused and place upon such facts and/or circumstances the interpretation favorable to the defendant. This Court has held on numerous occasions that it is only in cases consisting entirely of circumstantial evidence that an instruction must be given which requires the jury to resolve, in favor of the accused, doubt over circumstances susceptible of two interpretations. Medley v. State, 600 So.2d 957 (Miss. 1992); Barnes v. State, 532 So.2d 1231 (Miss. 1988). Where the evidence is purely circumstantial, the trial court must grant a two-theory instruction. Parker v. State, 606 So.2d 1132, 1140-41 (Miss. 1992); Henderson v. State, 453 So.2d 708, 710 (Miss. 1984). Petti's complaint might well have merit were it not for two important pieces of direct evidence that were vital to conviction. First, the evidence developed at trial established directly that the motel room in which the cocaine was found was registered in the name of Petti alone and only one key had been issued to its occupant. The room key, as well as over $2000 in United States currency, was found on the defendant's person prior to the search of his room. Second, Petti testified in his own behalf that his two companions, with whom he allegedly shared room 108, smoked cocaine inside the room before he left on the morning of November 2, 1990. Thus, Petti's own testimony places cocaine inside room 108. This Court finds no error in the trial court's refusal to grant the two-theory instruction.