Opinion ID: 1797214
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: The Avoiding Arrest Aggravator

Text: Foster argues that there was insufficient evidence to prove the aggravator, [t]he capital offense was committed for the purpose of avoiding or preventing a lawful arrest. First, this claim is procedurally barred under Miss. Code Ann. § 99-39-21. No objection was made on these grounds at trial, and this claim was not raised on appeal. Therefore, without making the necessary showing of cause and actual prejudice, this claim is barred from belated consideration on post-conviction review. Although procedurally barred, alternatively, considering the issue on the merits, this Court has stated: [i]f there is evidence from which it may be reasonably inferred that a substantial reason for the killing was to conceal the identity of the killer or killings to cover their tracks so as to avoid apprehension and eventual arrest by authorities, then it is proper for the court to allow the jury to consider this aggravating circumstance. Under this construction the Court properly submits this aggravator to the jury if evidence existed from which the jury could reasonably infer that concealing the killer's identity, or covering the killer's tracks to avoid apprehension and arrest, was a substantial reason for the killing. Carr v. State, 655 So.2d 824, 853-54 (Miss. 1995); See also Chase v. State, 645 So.2d 829, 856-58 (Miss. 1994); Hansen v. State, 592 So.2d 114, 152-53 (Miss 1991), cert. denied, Hansen v. Mississippi, 504 U.S. 921, 112 S.Ct. 1970, 118 L.Ed.2d 570 (1992); Lanier v. State, 533 So.2d 473, 490 (Miss. 1988); Leatherwood v. State, 435 So.2d at 651, Tokman, 435 So.2d at 671. At trial, Vincent Harris, Foster's friend, testified that Foster shot Shelton as Shelton attempted to call the police because George [Shelton] would know his face. Thus, there was evidence from which it could be inferred that Foster killed Shelton to cover his tracks or conceal his identity. At the point Foster shot Shelton, Foster had wrested away the gun, had complete possession of the gun, and could have walked out of the store without further interference from Shelton. He shot Shelton as he tried to place a phone call to the police. Thus, it appears that the substantial reason behind the killing was for the purpose of avoiding or preventing a lawful arrest. Therefore, Foster's counsel was not ineffective in not challenging this aggravator. Again, this issue is procedurally barred, and alternatively, on the merits, it also fails.