Opinion ID: 1723446
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The trial court erred in instructing the jury on the robbery and pecuniary gain circumstances, in violation of the Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, and Article III, Section 14, 26, and 28 of the Mississippi Constitution. (Claim O)

Text: ¶ 14. In Willie v. State, 585 So.2d 660 (Miss. 1991), we held that the trial court in a sentencing proceeding should not submit as separate aggravators both the fact that the capital murder was committed during the commission of a robbery and that it was committed for pecuniary gain. Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-101(5)(d) and (f). See also Ladner v. State, 584 So.2d 743 (Miss. 1991). Willie expressly reversed Booker v. State, 449 So.2d 209 on this point. The Court reasoned that where two aggravators essentially comprise one circumstance, it is improper for the jury to doubly weigh that circumstance. This rule has been recently reaffirmed. Davis v. State, 660 So.2d 1228 (Miss. 1995). ¶ 15. Booker presently complains that he was subjected to the same double weighing of these factors. The State responds that Willie is to be given only prospective application, and, having been decided after Booker's sentencing trial, it does not govern that hearing. While it is true that the Willie rule was not effective at the time of Booker's sentencing trial and would not be a basis for reversal, it is applicable to the resentencing process which will result from today's ruling, and the circuit court is directed to instruct the jury in accordance with its holding. ¶ 16. The remaining issues which addressed specific conduct in the prior trial and instructions specific to the evidence there presented no longer require attention. We have spoken to many of them in the several decisions that we have issued since Booker's initial sentencing hearing. With every confidence that the circuit court will preside over Booker's resentencing proceeding in accord with the guidance of our intervening decisions, we decline to reach them today. ¶ 17. DECISION OF TRIAL COURT DENYING POST-CONVICTION RELIEF ON GUILT PHASE ISSUES IS REVERSED AND REMANDED FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION. DEATH SENTENCE REVERSED, TO BE REMANDED FOR RESENTENCING TRIAL PENDING OUTCOME OF PETITION FOR RELIEF FROM GUILTY PLEA. PRATHER and SULLIVAN, P.JJ., and PITTMAN, J., concur. McRAE, J., concurs in result only. SMITH, J., dissents with separate written opinion joined by DAN LEE, C.J., and JAMES L. ROBERTS, Jr. and MILLS, JJ.