Opinion ID: 1831577
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: the cumulative error claim is barred and also without merit.

Text: ¶ 90. Finally, Walker contends that the cumulative effect of all the errors requires that his conviction and death sentence be set aside by the granting of this post-conviction application. On direct appeal this Court addressed the claim that the cumulative error in this case required reversal. The Court held: Finding no errors of a magnitude requiring reversal, this Court finds both the conviction of Walker of capital murder during the commission of sexual battery and the sentence of death are upheld. There is no reversible error in either phase of the trial, thus there is no cumulative error. Foster v. State, 639 So.2d at 1303. There never has been a perfect trial. As long as humans conduct and participate in trial of lawsuits, there will not be such a trial. This Court has said many times that a defendant is not entitled to a perfect trial, only a fair trial. Sand v. State, 467 So.2d 907 (Miss.1985); Bell v. State, 443 So.2d 16 (Miss.1983); Palmer v. State, 427 So.2d 111 (Miss.1983); Shaw v. State, 378 So.2d 631 (Miss. 1979); Stringer v. State, 500 So.2d 928 (Miss.1986).Walker received a fundamentally fair trial. We affirm both Walker's conviction and sentence of death. 671 So.2d at 629-30. ¶ 91. Therefore, any claim that the substantive claims raised in the post-conviction application represent cumulative error is a question that has been decided against Walker; the claim is res judicata. See Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(3); Wiley, 750 So.2d at 1195; Foster, 687 So.2d at 1129, 1138,1140; Wiley, 517 So.2d at 1377. Walker's assertion that the cumulative effect of counsel's deficient performance requires reversal of his conviction and sentence is likewise unpersuasive. As pointed out, this Court has addressed almost every claim on the merits. While a procedural bar was imposed as to many claims the Court addressed the merits in an alternative. Thus, the merits have been addressed, and no merit was found to exist on any of the substantive claims. Walker has failed to demonstrate the requisite deficient performance and resulting prejudice to establish a single claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. There is no deficient performance to cumulate. Based on the prior decision of this Court and the prior discussion herein, there are no errors to cumulate; and therefore; there is no cumulative error in this case. Walker was not denied a fundamentally fair trial in this case and has demonstrated no reason, singly or cumulatively, which would cause this Court to vacate his conviction of capital murder and sentence of death for the murder and sexual battery of Konya Rebecca Edwards. Walker is entitled to no relief on this claim.