Opinion ID: 1148183
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Enmund Intent Question:

Text: Since March 29, 1983, the effective date of Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-101(7), [1] the imposition of a sentence of death cannot be imposed upon a person unless there is a written finding by the sentencing jury of one or more of the following factors: that the defendant actually killed, attempted to kill, intended that a killing take place, or contemplated that lethal force would be employed. Failure of the jury to make such a separate written finding mandates a reversal of the death sentence. Pinkton v. State, 481 So.2d 306 (Miss. 1985). The sentencing jury in Wiley II did so find that Wiley actually killed, intended that the killing take place, and contemplated that lethal force would be employed. Wiley now argues that his counsel made a decision to pursue a defense of lack of intent to kill, but counsel failed to follow up on this strategic choice. This argument is without merit as counsel elicited evidence of Wiley's having shot [his gun] up[ward] to negate the argument that Wiley intended to kill.