Opinion ID: 1920351
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Indictment Failed to Charge Aggravating Circumstances or a Mens Rea Requirement

Text: ś 57. Spicer argues that his death sentence must be vacated because the indictment failed to include a statutory aggravating factor or the mens rea standard required for capital murder. Spicer did not raise this issue before the trial court. However, challenges to the sufficiency of an indictment will not be procedurally barred and may be raised for the first time on appeal. State v. Berryhill, 703 So.2d 250, 253 (Miss.1997). For support of his argument, Spicer cites Apprendi v. N.J., 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000), and Ring v. Arizona, 536 U.S. 584, 122 S.Ct. 2428, 153 L.Ed.2d 556 (2002). ś 58. This Court has previously rejected the argument made by Spicer. See, e.g., Brown v. State, 890 So.2d 901, 918 (Miss.2004); Stevens v. State, 867 So.2d 219, 225-27 (Miss.2003). We have held that Apprendi and Ring address issues wholly distinct from the present one, and in fact do not address indictments at all. Brown, 890 So.2d at 918. The purpose of an indictment is to furnish the defendants notice and a reasonable description of the charges against them so that they may prepare their defense. Williams v. State, 445 So.2d 798, 804 (Miss.1984). Therefore, an indictment is only required to have a clear and concise statement of the elements of the crime the defendant is charged with. Id. Our death penalty statute clearly states the only aggravating circumstances which may be relied upon by the prosecution in seeking the ultimate punishment. Brown, 890 So.2d at 918. Therefore, when Spicer was charged with capital murder he was put on notice that the death penalty may result, what aggravating factors may be used and the mens rea standard that was required. See Stevens, 867 So.2d at 227. We find that Spicer's ninth assertion of error is without merit.