Opinion ID: 1099668
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: whether the verdict of guilty of murder, as opposed to manslaughter, is supported by the evidence.

Text: ¶ 14. Hodge finally contends that the only conviction that could be supported by the evidence would be for manslaughter. Murder is defined as [t]he killing of a human being without the authority of law by any means or in any manner ... (1)(a) When done with deliberate design to effect the death of the person killed, or of any human being.... Miss.Code Ann. § 97-3-19 (2000). Manslaughter is defined as [t]he killing of a human being, without malice, in the heat of passion, but in a cruel or unusual manner, or by the use of a dangerous weapon, without authority of law, and not in necessary self-defense.... Miss.Code Ann. § 97-3-35 (2000). ¶ 15. In the instant case, there was sufficient evidence of Hodge's premeditation and malice. Hodge believed that Thomas was a snitch so he lured Thomas to the field under the pretense of shooting some cows. Hodge then shot Thomas in the back. Hodge produced no evidence of heat of passion or provocation as required for manslaughter. The fact that Hodge armed himself with a deadly weapon when he took Thomas to the field allows for an inference of malice. Stokes v. State, 240 Miss. 453, 128 So.2d 341, 351 (1961); Smith v. State, 205 Miss. 283, 38 So.2d 725, 726 (1949); Busby v. State, 177 Miss. 68, 170 So. 140, 143 (1936). ¶ 16. Whether a homicide is classified as a murder or manslaughter is ordinarily an inquiry to be made by the jury. Jackson v. State, 740 So.2d 832, 834 (Miss. 1999); Stevenson v. State, 733 So.2d 177, 186 (Miss.1998); Strahan v. State, 729 So.2d 800, 806 (Miss.1998); Johnson v. State, 340 So.2d 738, 740 (Miss.1976); Kinkead v. State, 190 So.2d 838, 840 (Miss. 1966); McNair v. State, 223 Miss. 83, 77 So.2d 306, 308 (1955). In the instant case, the jury was instructed on both manslaughter and murder. It concluded that Hodge committed murder. This conclusion is justified given the fact that Hodge felt that Thomas was a snitch and lured him to the field under the pretense of shooting some cows and then shot Thomas in the back. We agree with the jury that the evidence supported a conviction for murder.