Opinion ID: 1849099
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: whether the circuit court erred in denying the appellant's proffered jury instruction d-28.

Text: ś 65. Conley argues the trial judge committed reversible error when he refused to grant jury instruction D-28, a socalled two theory charge, which reads as follows: The Court instructs the Jury that if there be any fact or circumstances in this case susceptible of two interpretations, one favorable and the other unfavorable to the Defendant, and when the Jury has considered such fact or circumstance with all the other evidence, if there is a reasonable doubt as to the correct interpretation, they must resolve such doubt in favor of the Defendant and place upon such fact or circumstance the interpretation favorable to the Defendant. ś 66. We addressed this exact instruction in Petti v. State, 666 So.2d 754, 756-57 (Miss.1995). In affirming the trial court's refusal to grant the jury instruction, we stated that we have held on numerous occasions that it is only in cases consisting entirely of circumstantial evidence that an instruction must be given which requires the jury to resolve, in favor of the accused, doubt over circumstances susceptible of two interpretations . Id. at 757 (citing Medley v. State, 600 So.2d 957 (Miss.1992); Barnes v. State, 532 So.2d 1231 (Miss.1988)). Where the evidence is purely circumstantial, the trial court must grant a two-theory instruction. Id. (citing Parker v. State, 606 So.2d 1132, 1140-41 (Miss.1992); Henderson v. State, 453 So.2d 708, 710 (Miss.1984)). ś 67. The State's case was not built entirely of circumstantial evidence. Teronda Berry testified that she saw Whitney floating with her head above the water with her life jacket on and that she then saw Conley pull Whitney under the water with him. She further testified that Conley surfaced holding the life jacket and stating that he could not find Whitney. This testimony obviated the necessity for the defendant's proffered instruction. We find no error in the trial court's refusal to grant the two-theory instruction.