Opinion ID: 1778765
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The denial of a Life Option instruction violated the Eighth Amendment.

Text: ś 198. Defense counsel requested that a life option instruction be given in this case. He proposed two different instructions. The State objected to both instructions and the trial judge refused both on the basis that they are mercy instructions. The proposed instructions read as follows: DSP-4: The Court instructs the jury that during this phase of the trial, the burden of proof remains on the State to prove that this case is one that justifies the imposition of the death penalty, however, you the jury may return a life sentence in this cause, without finding any mitigating circumstances in favor of the Defendant, Willie Jerome Manning. DSP-7: The Court instructs the jury that there is nothing which would suggest that the decision to afford Willie Jerome Manning mercy and thereby sentence him to life imprisonment violates the laws of this State or your oath as jurors, and even if you find there are no mitigating circumstances in this case which are worthy of your consideration, then, nevertheless, you still may sentence Willie Jerome Manning to life imprisonment. ś 199. The State argues that these instructions are mercy instructions and that it is not error for the trial court to refuse mercy instructions. It cites Ballenger v. State, 667 So.2d 1242, 1264-65 (Miss.1995) to support its position. In that case, an instruction nearly identical to DSP-7 was proposed. The State objected, and the trial court refused the instruction. This Court found no error in the refusal to give the mercy instruction. ś 200. This Court has stated time and again that a defendant is not entitled to a mercy instruction. Foster v. State, 639 So.2d 1263, 1299-1301 (Miss.1994); Hansen v. State, 592 So.2d 114, 150 (Miss.1991); Ladner v. State, 584 So.2d 743, 761 (Miss.1991); Williams v. State, 544 So.2d 782, 788 (Miss. 1987). Furthermore, the jury in this case was fully informed of its right to return a life sentence with the following instruction: DSP-2: The Court instructs the jury that the prosecution carries the burden of showing not only that aggravating circumstances exist but also that they are sufficient enough to warrant death. If the prosecution proves the existence of an aggravating circumstance, you are free to find it insufficient to warrant death and are not required to automatically impose death. The jury in this case was properly instructed and the refusal by the trial court to give mercy instructions does not constitute reversible error.