Opinion ID: 1091246
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Motion for J.N.O.V. or, in the alternative, motion for new trial.

Text: ¶ 15. The trial court denied McIntosh's motion for J.N.O.V., or in the alternative, motion for new trial. McIntosh now argues on appeal that the trial court erred by denying his motions. [1]
¶ 16. A motion for J.N.O.V. challenges the legal sufficiency of the evidence. McClain v. State, 625 So.2d 774, 778 (Miss. 1993). [T]his Court properly reviews the ruling on the last occasion the challenge was made in the trial court. Id. at 778. Here, this occurred when the trial court denied McIntosh's motion for J.N.O.V. ¶ 17. In Bush v. State, 895 So.2d 836, 843 (Miss.2005) this Court set out the standard of review for legal sufficiency as follows: In Carr v. State, 208 So.2d 886, 889 (Miss.1968), we stated that in considering whether the evidence is sufficient to sustain a conviction in the face of a motion for directed verdict or for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, the critical inquiry is whether the evidence shows beyond a reasonable doubt that accused committed the act charged, and that he did so under such circumstances that every element of the offense existed; and where the evidence fails to meet this test it is insufficient to support a conviction. Bush, 895 So.2d at 843 (quoting Carr v. State, 208 So.2d at 889).
¶ 18. McIntosh was convicted of capital murder. Creola was killed during the commission of the crime of arson. The elements of capital murder applicable to this case are found in Miss.Code Ann. § 97-3-19(2)(e) which provides: (2) The killing of a human being without the authority of law by any means or in any manner shall be capital murder in the following cases: (e) When done with or without any design to effect death, by any person engaged in the commission of the crime of rape, burglary, kidnapping [sic], arson, robbery, sexual battery, unnatural intercourse with any child under the age of twelve (12), or nonconsensual unnatural intercourse with mankind, or in any attempt to commit such felonies.... ¶ 19. Here, Nolan, a volunteer fire fighter who responded to the house fire, saw a blue base to the flames. This base indicated that the fire was started with a fluid such as diesel, kerosene, butane, folic acid or something similar. After fighting the fire, Nolan found Creola dead in a back bedroom of the house. Dr. Hayne testified that Creola died as a result of smoke inhalation in a house fire. ¶ 20. Featherston testified that when he regained consciousness, he smelled smoke and saw McIntosh setting the house on fire. Featherston asked McIntosh why he was setting the house on fire. McIntosh told Featherston that he was going to burn down the house and burn Featherston. ¶ 21. Bobby Marion, a prison inmate serving a life sentence, testified that McIntosh told him that he started the fire in the living room of the house. McIntosh also threw fluid on Featherston which caught Featherston on fire. As for his mother, McIntosh stated that she died from smoke inhalation. ¶ 22. We find that the testimony clearly supports the elements of capital murder during the commission of the crime of arson. Accordingly, We find that this issue is without merit.
¶ 23. McIntosh also was convicted of aggravated assault. The aggravated assault pertained to Featherston being set on fire. The elements of aggravated assault applicable to this case are found in Miss.Code Ann. § 97-3-7(2)(a) which states: (2) A person is guilty of aggravated assault if he (a) attempts to cause serious bodily injury to another, or causes such injury purposely, knowingly or recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life.... ¶ 24. Upon arriving at the scene of the crime, Nolan found Featherston with what appeared to be second degree burns. Dr. Love stated that Featherston arrived at the Burn Center with extensive burns on his back, arms, face and hands. Featherston's total burn surface area was determined to be 51 to 61 percent of his body. Based on a survivability calculation, Dr. Love stated that Featherston's chances of surviving from these injuries were very slim. ¶ 25. Featherston testified that he asked McIntosh why he was setting the house on fire. McIntosh told Featherston that he was going to burn down the house and burn Featherston. McIntosh then sprayed Featherston with fluid on his face, head, arms and back, Featherston caught on fire, ran out of the house and jumped into a pile of leaves. ¶ 26. We find that the evidence clearly met the elements of aggravated assault. Accordingly, we find that this issue is without merit.
¶ 27. A motion for new trial challenges the weight of the evidence. Sheffield v. State, 749 So.2d 123, 127 (Miss. 1999). A reversal is warranted only if the trial court abused its discretion in denying a motion for new trial. Id. In Bush v. State, 895 So.2d at 843, this Court set out the standard of review for weight of the evidence as follows: When reviewing a denial of a motion for a new trial based on an objection to the weight of the evidence, we will only disturb a verdict when it is so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence that to allow it to stand would sanction an unconscionable injustice. Bush, 895 So.2d at 843 (citing Herring v. State, 691 So.2d 948, 957 (Miss.1997)). See also Sheffield, 749 So.2d at 127. ¶ 28. We find that the weight of the evidence supports the jury verdict. After regaining consciousness, Featherston saw McIntosh setting the house on fire. Featherston also stated that McIntosh told him that was going to burn down the house and burn Featherston. McIntosh then sprayed Featherston with liquid which caused Featherston to catch on fire. Featherston sustained burns to 51 to 61 percent of his body. ¶ 29. Nolan found Creola dead in the house. Dr. Hayne later determined that Creola died from smoke inhalation. Accordingly, we find that this issue is without merit.