Opinion ID: 1824793
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: did the trial judge err in failing to grant porter a circumstantial evidence instruction?

Text: Our law is well-settled that jury instructions are not given unless there is an evidentiary basis in the record for such. Davis v. State, 530 So.2d 694, 701 (Miss. 1988). A trial judge is not required to give an instruction on circumstantial evidence where there is direct evidence of the crime. King v. State, 580 So.2d 1182, 1191 (Miss. 1991). The record here is replete with direct evidence of the crime. There was no error in failing to grant a circumstantial evidence instruction in this case. CONVICTION OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND SENTENCE OF TEN (10) YEARS IMPRISONMENT IN THE CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IS AFFIRMED. HAWKINS, C.J., and PITTMAN, McRAE, ROBERTS and SMITH, JJ., concur. HAWKINS, C.J., specially concurs with separate written opinion joined by SULLIVAN, JAMES L. ROBERTS, Jr., and SMITH, JJ. BANKS, J., dissents with separate written opinion joined by DAN M. LEE and PRATHER, P.JJ., not participating.