Opinion ID: 1759877
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Prosecutions misstatement of the law on mitigating circumstances.

Text: ¶ 174. Scott argues that the prosecution denigrated his evidence offered as mitigation factors at trial. In addition, Scott argues that the prosecution misstated the law in three ways: (1) the jury was told their responsibility under the law of God and man was to return a verdict for death; (2) the prosecution attempted to persuade the jury that mitigating evidence was merely an excuse; and (3) the prosecution implied that the prosecutors and jury share a common role in this case. ¶ 175. A review of the entire section of the closing statements by the prosecution and defense reveals that there were no contemporaneous objections by defense counsel. This Court has held that contemporaneous objects rules for the preservation of an issue on appeal apply in death penalty cases. Williams v. State, 684 So.2d at 1203; See also Simmons v. State, 805 So.2d 452, 489 (Miss.2001)(death penalty case); Cole v. State, 525 So.2d 365, 368 (Miss.1988). Accordingly, this Court finds that this issue is procedurally barred from review.