Opinion ID: 1743598
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: the verdict of the jury was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence, and the verdict evidenced bias and prejudice against spann.

Text: ¶ 21. Spann argues that the overwhelming weight of the evidence demonstrated that he could not be guilty of capital murder because there was no evidence of an underlying felony as required by Miss. Code Ann. § 97-3-19(2)(e). Again, § 97-3-19(2)(e) elevates the crime of murder to capital murder when the killing occurs during the commission of, as is pertinent in this case, a robbery or attempt to commit a robbery. ¶ 22. In determining whether a jury verdict is against the overwhelming weight of the evidence, this Court must accept as true the evidence which supports the verdict and will reverse only when convinced that the circuit court has abused its discretion in failing to grant a new trial. Herring v. State, 691 So.2d 948, 957 (Miss. 1997) (citing Thornhill v. State, 561 So.2d 1025, 1030 (Miss.1989)). This Court must accept as true the evidence favorable to the State. Wetz v. State, 503 So.2d at 812 (citing Van Buren v. State, 498 So.2d 1224, 1228 (Miss.1986)). ¶ 23. There was no evidence offered at trial that Spann, Horne, or McLaurin actually took property from the Quick Stop. However, as discussed previously, the State offered into evidence the statement given by Spann to Hattiesburg Police, in which Spann stated that Horne said he was going to rob the store. Spann also stated that he then accepted a weapon from Horne. The two donned masks and entered the store. As discussed above, this evidence supports the jury's determination that Spann violated Miss.Code Ann. § 97-3-79, which provides: Every person who shall feloniously take or attempt to take from the person or from the presence the personal property of another and against his will by violence to his person or by putting such person in fear of immediate injury to his person by the exhibition of a deadly weapon shall be guilty of robbery.... Spann offered absolutely no evidence which conflicts with his statement to police. In light of our standard of review, this assignment of error is without merit.