Opinion ID: 1630881
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Whether the trial court erred in granting the State's accomplice instruction.

Text: ¶ 30. Robert played a part in the crime, and the accomplice instruction was properly granted.
¶ 31. Robert argues that, because his co-defendants, through deals with the State, pled guilty to manslaughter, there was no basis for the capital murder instruction given at his trial. The pleas of co-defendants are not relevant to Robert's case. Furthermore, Robert does not cite any authority in support of this contention.
¶ 32. Evidence showed that Robert was part of the conspiracy to rob and kill Lilly and that Lilly was killed in the commission of a robbery. The evidentiary basis justifying a capital murder instruction was adequate, and the instruction was proper.
¶ 33. In Stevens v. State, 808 So.2d 908 (Miss.2002), we stated how requests for directed verdicts and peremptory instructions should be considered: The legal sufficiency of the State's evidence may be tested by a motion for a directed verdict, a request for a peremptory instruction and a motion for a JNOV; the standard of review of each is essentially the same. Id. at 922-23 (citations omitted). ¶ 34. The standard of review for the denial of motions for new trial and for directed verdict is as follows: [W]e must, with respect to each element of the offense, consider all of the evidence not just the evidence which supports the case for prosecutionin the light most favorable to the verdict. The credible evidence which is consistent with the guilt must be accepted as true. The prosecution must be given the benefit of all favorable inferences that may reasonably be drawn from the evidence. Matters regarding the weight and credibility to be accorded the evidence are to be resolved by the jury. We may reverse only where, with respect to one or more of the elements of the offense charged, the evidence so considered is such that reasonable and fair-minded jurors could only find the accused not guilty. McDowell v. State, 807 So.2d 413, 425-26 (Miss.2001) (citations omitted). ¶ 35. Robert was seen at Westbrook's store where he was overheard telling a cousin, We're fixing to go over there and go make a hit. And he was also heard saying, Well, we're going go rob a little white man. Testimony was given that Robert said he knew where some money was, traveled with the group to Lilly's house, went into Lilly's house, tied Lilly up and put a pillowcase over his head. Dr. Hayne testified that Lilly had been tied about his upper extremities and stated that the cause of death was suffocation and burking (compression of the chest). There was substantial evidence to support the guilty verdict. The trial court correctly denied the JNOV motion and refused Robert's requested peremptory instruction. This issue is without merit.