Opinion ID: 1947870
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 18

Heading: allowed to present unlimited evidence at the sentencing stage?

Text: Appellant next contends that under this language of Mississippi Code Annotated section 99-19-101(1) (1978 Supp.): In the proceeding, evidence may be presented as to any matter that the court deems relevant to sentence, and shall include matters relating to any of the aggravating or mitigating circumstances. However, this subsection shall not be construed to authorize the introduction of any evidence secured in violation of the Constitutions of the United States or of the State of Mississippi. the State may introduce any evidence unrelated to aggravating circumstances. Subsection (5) of § 99-19-101 plainly states that the aggravating circumstances shall be limited to the eight aggravating circumstances listed. Read in conjunction with subsection (1), the State is limited to introducing evidence relevant to one or more of the eight enumerated aggravating circumstances. This assignment of error is without merit.