Opinion ID: 1810649
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Whether the form of the verdict as to aggravating factors was improper, thus requiring reversal of the sentence.

Text: ¶ 21. Crawford next argues that since the jury wrote the verdict in improper form as to the placement of the words beyond a reasonable doubt in reference to the aggravating factors, that the form of the verdict was improper and thus the degree of proof required by the law was not found. ¶ 22. We have already addressed this issue in Williams v. State, 684 So.2d 1179 (Miss.1996). There, we noted that there is no authority for the proposition that the jury must actually write the words beyond a reasonable doubt in its verdict. Id. at 1208. In addition, we presume that a jury will follow a trial court's instructions and do as it is told. Id. at 1209. Crawford has given us no reason to believe that this jury departed from its instructions, and we find his claim without merit.