Opinion ID: 1088560
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: verdict of the jury finding appellant guilty of capital murder was against the overwhelming weight of credible evidence.

Text: The effect of both of these assignments of error is that the verdict of the jury finding Billiot guilty of capital murder was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence because the state failed to prove the underlying felony of robbery. This position is disposed of by our application of the principles urged in Voyles v. State, 362 So.2d 1236 (Miss. 1978) and Wheat v. State, 420 So.2d 229 (Miss. 1982). In Voyles v. State, supra , we held, As stated above, the jury was fully instructed that it was necessary for them to find that appellant had the intent to rob when the act of killing was done. As we have heretofore seen, this intent may be shown by the acts of the person involved as well as the circumstances surrounding such actions. It is not necessary for that intent to be express and the subsequent acts were an important factor for the jury to consider. 362 So.2d at 1243. The Voyles court then found that the defendant's possession of the deceased's car was sufficient for the jury to find the killing to be done while engaged in the commission of a robbery. In Wheat v. State, supra , the appellant was found in possession of the deceased's car, along with its contents, and argued on appeal that there was no proof of the crime of robbery in connection with the alleged murder. Quoting Voyles v. State, supra , and Shanklin v. State, 290 So.2d 625 (Miss. 1974), the Wheat Court held that the intent to do an act or crime is a question of fact to be determined by the jury from the act itself, surrounding circumstances, and expressions made by the actor with reference to his intent. As this is an issue for the jury and the jury found adversely to the appellant, the Court in Wheat found no merit in the appellant's argument. Billiot was seen driving away from the scene in the car owned by the deceased Croll. Billiot also admitted he took $60.00 from Wallace Croll's wallet. The issue of intent was a question of fact for the jury. Having been properly instructed on the elements of robbery and capital murder, taking the evidence as a whole, it was reasonable for the jury to conclude that Billiot committed the murder while engaged in the crime of robbery. Under this assignment the appellant argues that, under Weathersby v. State, 165 Miss. 207, 147 So. 481 (1933), the jury was bound to accept his statement that he took the money and the car to cover up for the devil's actions. The Weathersby rule has no application here. Under Weathersby v. State, supra , the appellant's explanation must be reasonable. Null v. State, 311 So.2d 654, 655 (Miss. 1975). Certainly Billiot's explanation here is not reasonable.