Opinion ID: 1088650
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Whether Armstead's conviction for the sale of cocaine in count A should be reversed due to the prejudice caused by the admission of Armstead's confession in count B.

Text: ¶ 29. Armstead argues that he was materially prejudiced in his right to a fair trial on the sale-of-cocaine charge in count A because his confession in count B would not have been admissible at a trial on count A alone. ¶ 30. For support, Armstead relies on Bennett v. State, 451 So.2d 727 (Miss. 1984). However, the Court of Appeals has pointed out that Bennett was decided prior to the enactment of Mississippi Code Annotated Section 99-7-2, which permits the prosecution of more than one charge in the same trial where (a) the offenses are based on the same act or transaction; or (b) the offenses are based on two (2) or more acts or transactions connected together or constituting parts of a common scheme or plan. Wright v. State, 797 So.2d 1028, 1030 (Miss.Ct.App.2001) (quoting Miss.Code Ann. § 99-7-2 (Rev.2007)); see also Uniform Rules of Circuit and County Court Practice Rule 7.07. ¶ 31. There is no authority for restricting the multi-count-indictment statute because some element of proof necessary as to one charge would be inadmissible on another charge if tried separately. [10] Wright, 797 So.2d at 1030. Whenever a defendant is tried on a multi-count indictment, the possibility that a jury will infer guilt on all counts from guilt on one individual count does not warrant reversal so long as the jury is instructed that each count must be considered separately, and each count is supported by substantial evidence and proven beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Meriwether, 486 F.2d 498, 504 (5th Cir.1973). ¶ 32. In this case, the jury was instructed that each count should be considered separately. Furthermore, substantial evidence supports Armstead's conviction on count A for the sale of cocaine. Accordingly, we find that Armstead's conviction on count A should not be reversed.