Opinion ID: 2799378
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: c-s-1

Text: ¶77. At the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, the State offered instruction C-S-1, which stated in relevant part, “You should not be influenced by bias, sympathy, or prejudice. Your verdict should be based on the evidence and not upon speculation, guesswork, or conjecture.” Ronk did not object to C-S-1 at the sentencing hearing. However, on appeal, he now claims that the trial court erred in giving C-S-1, because it prohibited the jury from considering mercy or sympathy. ¶78. Because Ronk failed to object to C-S-1 at the sentencing hearing, and because Ronk cites no authority in support of his argument, this issue is procedurally barred. See Williams v. State, 684 So. 2d 1179, 1187 (Miss. 1996). Procedural bar notwithstanding, Ronk’s argument is without merit. This Court has held that “a jury can properly be cautioned against being swayed by sympathy,” and this Court has repeatedly upheld the use of sentencing instructions similar to C-S-1. Wiley v. State, 750 So. 2d 1193, 1204 (Miss. 1999); Howell v. State, 860 So. 2d 704, 759 (Miss. 2003); Turner v. State, 732 So. 2d 937 (Miss. 1999). Accordingly, the trial court did not err in giving C-S-1. 43