Opinion ID: 1701928
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Was appellant entitled to a manslaughter instruction?

Text: Appellant contends he should have been granted a manslaughter instruction because none of the witnesses knew of the nature or cause of the argument between appellant and Grayson. Although the substance of the argument between Grayson and appellant was unknown, the state's evidence established a prima facie case of murder. In Gaddis v. State, 207 Miss. 508, 42 So.2d 724 (1949), this Court stated: Words of reproach, criticism or anger do not constitute sufficient provocation to reduce an intentional and unjustifiable homicide from murder to manslaughter. Richardson v. State, 123 Miss. 232, 85 So. 186; Williams v. State, Miss., 26 So.2d 174; McLaurin v. State, 205 Miss. 554, 37 So.2d 8. (207 Miss. at 515-16, 42 So.2d at 726) Appellant offered no evidence in his own defense. There was absolutely no evidence before the jury that the shooting of Grayson was a result of heat of passion. Therefore, the manslaughter instruction tendered by appellant was properly refused as not being supported by the evidence. Norman v. State, 385 So.2d 1298 (Miss. 1980).