Opinion ID: 860588
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Miscellaneous instructions

Text: Hoskins argues that the trial court erred in refusing to grant the defendant's requested jury instructions D-4, D-6, and D-8, and argues that they were proper and not covered by other instructions. We will discuss each in turn. Instruction D-4 was a two theory instruction which stated that the jury was to resolve every question of fact susceptible of two interpretations in favor of the defendant. The Mississippi Supreme Court has 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. Petti v. State, 666 So.2d 754, 756 (Miss. 1995). The evidence is purely circumstantial where there was no confession and no eyewitnesses. Parker v. State, 606 So. 2d 1132, 1140 (Miss. 1992). In this case, there was both a confession and an eyewitness. The instruction was properly denied. Instruction D-6 proposed to tell the jury that in reviewing the identification of the defendant, the jury could take into consideration the witness's capacity for memory and for observation, his familiarity with the defendant, and any other matters in evidence. Hoskins argues that the instruction was necessary to tell the jury of their duty to look at all evidence. We find that this was an eyewitness cautionary instruction that commented on particular testimony, and was properly refused. Instruction D-8 instructed jurors that if they believed that the alleged confession was not true or was made under the influence of hope or fear, then they could take that into account when determining what weight attached to the evidence. Hoskins argues that this instruction was necessary to give the jury guidance as to what weight to be given the confession. We find the jury was adequately instructed on its duty to weigh the evidence, and this instruction was not proper. THE JUDGMENT OF THE HINDS COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT OF CONVICTION OF MURDER AND SENTENCE OF FORTY YEARS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IS AFFIRMED. ALL COSTS OF THIS APPEAL ARE ASSESSED TO HINDS COUNTY. BRIDGES, C.J., THOMAS, P.J., COLEMAN, DIAZ, HERRING, HINKEBEIN, KING, AND PAYNE, JJ., CONCUR. MCMILLIN, P.J., NOT PARTICIPATING.