Opinion ID: 1667377
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Failure to find

Text: Mr. Bowen argues the jury should have found those mitigating factors to exist because the evidence of them was overwhelming and uncontradicted. No doubt, there was a great deal of evidence that Mr. Bowen had mental problems in the past. On the other hand, there was Dr. Mathews's testimony. Dr. Mathews testified, in addition to his testimony related above, that the MPD diagnosis upon which the report founded its conclusion of lack of ability to appreciate the criminality of the act was suggested by the doctors to Mr. Bowen. He testified that the symptoms exhibited by Mr. Bowen fit into the borderline personality disorder diagnosis previously applied to Mr. Bowen. Dr. Mathews found some evidence of malingering. While he said he did not think the symptoms displayed by Mr. Bowen were totally artificial or the result of malingering, he concluded there was no evidence of mental impairment in the weeks before the crime. A jury is not required to find a mitigating circumstance just because the defendant puts before the jury some evidence that could serve as the basis for finding the mitigating circumstance. Duncan v. State, 291 Ark. 521, 726 S.W.2d 653 (1987); Hill v. State, 289 Ark. 387, 713 S.W.2d. 233 (1986). Although medical evidence on the issue of insanity is highly persuasive, a jury is not bound to accept opinion testimony of experts as conclusive, and it is not compelled to believe their testimony any more than the testimony of other witnesses. Davasher v. State, 308 Ark. 154, 823 S.W.2d 863 (1992). Even when several competent experts concur in their opinions, and no opposing expert evidence is offered, the jury is bound to decide the issue upon its own judgment. Id. Testimony by experts is to be considered by the jury in the same manner as other testimony and circumstances in the case. Id. The jury alone determines what weight to give the evidence, and may reject it or accept all or any part of it they believe to be true. Id.; Robertson v. State, 304 Ark. 332, 802 S.W.2d 920 (1991).