Opinion ID: 1930926
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Failure to adequately question venire about death penalty

Text: ¶ 15. Finally, the State alleges this Court is procedurally barred by the doctrine of res judicata from reviewing Simon's claim that his counsel was ineffective for failing to question the jury venire adequately about its views on the death penalty. The State asserts that this Court examined the issue in Simon II when it addressed Issue I, The lower court erroneously removed for cause and prevented defense voir dire of several jurors who did not indicate that their views on capital punishment would substantially impair their ability to follow the law. ¶ 16. The allegation in Simon's Petition and Amended Petition differ from the issue addressed by the majority in Simon II. The issue in the petitions is one of ineffective assistance and not trial court error. It involves members of the venire which differ from those discussed by the Simon II majority on direct appeal. Although there are similarities to the challenges for cause, we find that this issue is not procedurally barred because claims of ineffective assistance of counsel were not required to be raised on direct appealsince trial and appellate counsel were the sameand the specific claim is not one covered by a previous allegation of error in either direct appeal. Pro Se Petition Claims ¶ 17. In his pro se petition and supporting memorandum, Simon raises four claims as error which he listed on direct appeal in Simon II: (1) the denial of counsel during the interrogation before his first appearance; (2) the change in venue and resulting disparity in racial makeup of the venire; (3) the admission of his confession at trial; and (4) a specific juror was removed for cause from the venire in violation of Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79, 106 S.Ct. 1712, 90 L.Ed.2d 69 (1986). Each of these issues is cited as error on direct appeal in Simon II. Simon II, 688 So.2d at 801-04, 806 (Issue II(A) and (C) covers venue and racial disparity), 807 (Issue V covers the Batson claim), 810 (Issue IX covers the McLaughlin delay in first appearance claimsee B aboveas well as the confession's admission into evidence). Since each of these issues has been raised previously on direct appeal, Simon has waived reexamination of these facts under different legal theories. See Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(2). Reexamination of these issues is also barred by the doctrine of res judicata. See Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(3). Given the lengthy discussions of these issues in Simon I and Simon II, we will not reexamine the merits of these issues below. ¶ 18. There are numerous allegations of error among these petitions which cite no supporting authority. See Am. Pet. ¶¶ 42-53; Pet. ¶¶ 30-41; Pro Se IV(h), (I), (j)(1)(a)-(c), (j)(2)-(5); Memo. Claim IV-Claim X(c), Claim XI-XIV, pp. 22-26. Even when this Court is considering a petition for post-conviction relief, the failure to cite authority means the petitioner's argument lacks persuasion and the issue may be barred from review. Brown v. State, 798 So.2d 481, 497, 506 (Miss.2001) (citing Holland v. State, 705 So.2d 307, 329 (Miss.1997)). Cf. Gary v. State, 760 So.2d 743, 754 (Miss.2000) (this Court may, at its discretion, refuse to review an assignment of error not supported by authority yet this is not an absolute bar). In the first instance, we find these alleged errors to be procedurally barred from review. Most of the issues affected are alleged in the pro se petition and memorandum, and they occasionally allege error similar to, if not exactly the same as, error alleged in his petition and amended petition. Where this has occurred, the examination of the similar issue and discussion of whether it is procedurally barred or without merit should suffice to address the issue in the alternative. Where the issues do not overlap and are not procedurally barred from examination, they are examined on the merits below. ¶ 19. Finally, Simon alleges errors that were not raised on direct appeal and do not relate to the effectiveness of counsel: (1) the bias of the trial judge, (2) the lack of a fair trial due to the racial hostility of the jury, and (3) the preparation of the jury rolls. Examination of these issues has been waived as no contemporaneous objection was made at trial and these were not cited as error on direct appeal. See Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(1). Simon has not shown this Court cause to avoid enforcement of this bar, nor has he shown any prejudicial effect these allegations had upon his trial. Therefore, examination of these issues has been waived, and we will not examine their merits below. ¶ 20. Having stated which issues are procedurally barred, we will examine the merits of the remaining claims in the three petitions.