Opinion ID: 1809395
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 21

Heading: Failure to include a lesser-offense instruction.

Text: ¶ 32. Havard asserts that his trial counsel were ineffective for failing to include a lesser-offense instruction. This issue was raised and fully addressed in depth on the merits. See Havard, 928 So.2d at 789-91. This claim was clearly discernable from the record before the Court on direct appeal, and Havard did not offer outside-the-record evidence as he did on the other two previously discussed subissues. Further, Havard does not present anything other than the record that was before us on direct appeal. Therefore, unlike the other issues found to be preserved for post-conviction proceedings, this sub-issue is procedurally barred by the doctrine of res judicata. Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(3) (Rev.2007). ¶ 33. In Lockett v. State, 614 So.2d 888 (Miss.1992), this Court considered the post-conviction application of Carl Daniel Lockett, who like Havard, was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. When asked to reconsider issues that were discussed on direct appeal, this Court stated: The procedural bars of waiver, different theories, and res judicata and the exception thereto as defined in Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(1-5) are applicable in death penalty PCR Applications. Irving v. State, 498 So.2d 305 (Miss.1986); Evans v. State, 485 So.2d 276 (Miss.1986). Rephrasing direct appeal issues for post-conviction purposes will not defeat the procedural bar of res judicata. Irving v. State, 498 So.2d 305 (Miss.1986); Rideout v. State, 496 So.2d 667 (Miss. 1986); Gilliard v. State, 446 So.2d 590 (Miss.1984). The Petitioner carries the burden of demonstrating that his claim is not procedurally barred. Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(6) (Supp.1991); Cabello v. State, 524 So.2d 313, 320 (Miss.1988). However, `an alleged error should be reviewed, in spite of any procedural bar, only where the claim is so novel that it has not previously been litigated, or, perhaps, where an appellate court has suddenly reversed itself on an issue previously thought settled.' Irving v. State, 498 So.2d 305, 311 (Miss.1986). Lockett, 614 So.2d at 893. ¶ 34. Havard has not demonstrated a novel claim or a sudden reversal of law relative to this issue which would exempt it from the procedural bar of res judicata pursuant to Mississippi Code Annotated Section 99-39-21(3) (Rev.2007). This issue is procedurally barred.