Opinion ID: 1918798
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Due Process and Other Constitutional Claims

Text: ¶ 73. Jordan argues that of all the inmates sentenced to death prior to the change of law announced in Jackson v. State, 337 So.2d 1242 (Miss.1976), he is the only one who remains on death row. All the other ultimately received a life sentence. Jordan also argues that, like him, several death row inmates entered into sentencing agreements whereby they agreed not to seek parole in exchange for the State not seeking the death penalty. He asserts that none of those other inmates were re-sentenced to death following this Court's decisions to void those agreements. Jordan also argues that his exemplary record while in prison and evidence of changed character entitles him to post-conviction relief. ¶ 74. The State points out that Jordan raised this same argument in his most recent direct appeal and that this Court denied relief. Jordan v. State, 786 So.2d at 1030. Therefore, this claim is barred by the doctrine of res judicata under the provisions of Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(3). ¶ 75. Notwithstanding the procedural bar, it is suggested that Jordan's equal protection argument fails. He does not raise specific details of his own re-sentencing that demonstrate discrimination. He is not challenging a specific law or statute, nor is he asserting that he is a member of a class to which the death penalty is unfairly imposed. Instead, he is arguing that he is entitled to post-conviction relief because other inmates, once on death row, have been resentenced to life in prison. This Court has held that . . . a defendant who alleges an equal protection violation has the burden of proving `the existence of purposeful discrimination.' Scott v. State, 878 So.2d at 993 (citing Whitus v. Georgia, 385 U.S. 545, 550, 87 S.Ct. 643, 646, 17 L.Ed.2d 599 (1967)). Likewise, Jordan must prove the purposeful discrimination had a discriminatory effect on him and the decision-makers in his case acted with discriminatory purpose. Wayte v. United States, 470 U.S. 598, 608, 105 S.Ct. 1524, 1531, 84 L.Ed.2d 547 (1985); Scott v. State, 878 So.2d at 993. ¶ 76. Jordan offers no evidence specific to his own case that would support an inference that the decision-makers acted with a discriminatory purpose. He asserts only that because others have been given life sentences, he should be given a life sentence. Jordan does not meet the burden of proving an equal protection violation. Therefore, this claim is without merit. ¶ 77. Next, Jordan argues that it was error to allow the special prosecutor to prosecute this case. He argues that the special prosecutor was not a disinterested prosecutor, rather the prosecutor had a personal vendetta against him. This claim has already been litigated and is now procedurally barred pursuant to § 99-39-21(3). As to the merits of this claim, we noted in Jordan's most recent direct appeal, the Fifth Circuit has ruled that, where special prosecutors are appointed, district attorneys must retain control of the prosecution. Faulder v. Johnson, 81 F.3d 515, 517 (5th Cir.1996). In this petition as on direct appeal, Jordan fails to offer any proof that the Harrison County District Attorney's Office did not retain control over the prosecution of this case. We have already found that during most of the pre-trial hearings and at trial, the District Attorney himself or one of his assistants was always present with the special prosecutor. Jordan v. State, 786 So.2d at 1030. Likewise, Jordan fails to demonstrate the prosecutorial vindictiveness about which he complains. This claim has no merit. ¶ 78. Jordan argues that after four reversals of his death sentence and the passage of so many years since the crime was committed, he has been denied the ability to present a comprehensive case in mitigation. Specifically, Jordan points out that his parents are now deceased and he was denied the important emotional impact of their testimony in the sentencing trial. Jordan cites cases dealing with the importance of presenting all relevant mitigating evidence and the right to compel the attendance of favorable witnesses. Taylor v. Illinois, 484 U.S. 400, 408, 108 S.Ct. 646, 98 L.Ed.2d 798 (1988); Lockett v. Ohio, 438 U.S. 586, 98 S.Ct. 2954, 57 L.Ed.2d 973 (1978); Jurek v. Texas, 428 U.S. 262, 96 S.Ct. 2950, 49 L.Ed.2d 929 (1976); Chambers v. Mississippi, 410 U.S. 284, 302, 93 S.Ct. 1038, 35 L.Ed.2d 297 (1973); Davis v. State, 512 So.2d 1291, 1293 (Miss.1987); Leatherwood v. State, 435 So.2d 645, 650 (Miss.1983). ¶ 79. The State argues that despite the passage of so much time and the death of Jordan's parents, trial counsel has been able to present all available mitigating evidence. Transcripts of prior testimony are available and have been read in the subsequent proceedings where live testimony is not available. ¶ 80. Jordan has had the benefit of all of the mitigating evidence that was available the first time he was convicted and sentenced to death. Although, the form of some of the evidence is not the same as it was in the original presentation, it is still available and has been utilized to the best extent possible by defense counsel. Likewise, Jordan was convicted and sentenced to death in his very first trial in 1976 when, ostensibly, all of his mitigation witnesses were alive and well. Therefore, we find that Jordan fails to demonstrate any actual prejudice from the unavailability of his parents' live testimony. This claim has no merit. ¶ 81. Next, Jordan asserts that a statement given to Officer Albritton should have been excluded because it was given after Jordan's arraignment proceedings in which he asked that an attorney be appointed to represent him. Jordan cites Michigan v. Jackson, 475 U.S. 625, 106 S.Ct. 1404, 89 L.Ed.2d 631 (1986), which held that if police initiate interrogation after defendant's assertion, at arraignment or similar proceedings, of his right to counsel, any waiver of defendant's right to counsel for that police-initiated interrogation is invalid. ¶ 82. Jordan has challenged the admissibility of this same statement from the very beginning of this long series of appeals. Both this Court and the federal courts have found this claim to be without merit. In this Court's most recent opinion, in 2001, we expressly considered the Michigan v. Jackson decision and decided that the issue of whether the tape recorded statement given to Officer Albritton, post-arraignment and without appointed counsel present, was without merit. Despite his allegations that his case is not yet final, Jordan has received four appellate reviews of this issue, and we have now twice decided that the issue is procedurally barred. Most importantly, the issue is harmless error at best. Our initial decision on this issue showed the admission of that statement to Officer Allbritton was harmless since it was merely cumulative of the properly obtained statement that Jordan gave to FBI Agent Watts. Jordan, 365 So.2d at 1203. Jordan v. State, 786 So.2d at 1020. ¶ 83. Lastly, Jordan simply says that in light of the cumulative effect of the errors, he is entitled to post-conviction relief. ¶ 84. Where there are no individual errors, there can be no cumulative error. Foster v. State, 639 So.2d 1263, 1303 (Miss.1994). This Court has previously recognized that [w]here there is no reversible error in any part, . . . . there is no reversible error to the whole. Doss v. State, 709 So.2d 369, 401 (Miss.1996) (quoting McFee v. State, 511 So.2d 130, 136 (Miss.1987)). This Court has further noted, A criminal defendant is not entitled to a perfect trial, only a fair trial. McGilberry v. State, 741 So.2d 894, 924 (Miss.1999), citing Sand v. State, 467 So.2d 907, 911 (Miss.1985). The record indicates that Jordan received a fair trial. This issue is without merit.