Opinion ID: 2534238
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: ¶ 2. On approximately March 29, 2008, Boyd had someone drop him off at Wanda Sherrod's mother's house. Sherrod, her mother, grandson, and nephew were all sitting on the front porch of the home. Boyd took a seat next to Sherrod's mother and exchanged pleasantries. Boyd then moved to a seat that was closer to Sherrod and her grandson. As Sherrod got up to get her grandson some juice, Boyd said Hold up Wanda, I got something for you. He then produced a knife and cut Sherrod several times. Sherrod's screams alarmed a neighbor, who noticed Boyd stabbing Sherrod. The neighbor ran inside her home and notified her husband. Upon coming outside, the husband saw Boyd stabbing Sherrod. He yelled at Boyd to stop and then pushed Boyd, causing Boyd to drop the knife. The husband kicked the knife away from Boyd, after which Boyd got up and calmly walked away. The neighbors called 911. ¶ 3. Officer Scott Glascow spotted Boyd walking a few blocks from the scene of the crime. Officer Glascow noticed Boyd had blood on his pants and that he was bleeding from his hands. Boyd told the officer, I was defending myself. They were getting my money. Boyd cooperated with all of the officer's instructions and subsequently was arrested. ¶ 4. Boyd was indicted on one count of aggravated assault for the stabbing of Wanda Sherrod. Prior to trial and in response to Boyd's motion, the trial court ordered Boyd to undergo a mental examination by the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield, Mississippi. [1] The examination showed that, while he appeared to have a history of mental illness, Boyd was able to understand the nature of his alleged actions and the difference between right and wrong in relation to his alleged actions. The test further demonstrated that Boyd had a reasonable degree of rational understanding regarding the nature of legal proceedings against him. Additionally, the clinical psychologist noted that Boyd's score on the Miller-Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test (M-FAST), designed to assess exaggeration of psychological problems, reflected exaggeration of psychotic symptoms and malingering. [2] The results of Boyd's mental examination were made part of the record in this appeal. ¶ 5. At trial, Boyd interrupted his attorney and the voir dire proceedings by taking his pants off and throwing them at the trial judge. The trial court had the jurors removed. Boyd's attorney moved for a mistrial, which the trial court denied. Again, the trial court made an on-the-record statement regarding Boyd's actions and concluded that Boyd was intentionally acting out in order to convince the jury that he was mentally ill. [3] Upon their return, the trial court addressed the jurors regarding Boyd's actions, and all jurors indicated that they could be fair despite Boyd's conduct. ¶ 6. The State produced three witnesses at trial, other than the Sherrod, who had seen Boyd repeatedly stab Sherrod with a knife. The knife Boyd allegedly had used to stab and cut Sherrod was admitted into evidence. Detective Travis Robertson, the investigating officer, testified that the knife Boyd had used to stab and cut Sherrod was a kitchen knife and that it did not have a blade guard, which had resulted in cuts to Boyd's right hand. The evidence further showed that the knife had a serrated edge. ¶ 7. Additionally, the State introduced testimony from Dr. Thomas Vincent, the treating general surgeon, who testified that he had repaired sixteen wounds located mostly on Sherrod's face, neck and arms. Dr. Vincent's testimony revealed that several of Sherrod's wounds were substantial and measured more than four inches in length. Dr. Vincent further stated that if the wounds on Sherrod's neck had been a few centimeters deeper, Boyd would have severed Sherrod's carotid artery. ¶ 8. After a two-day trial, the jury returned a verdict of guilty. Upon receiving the pre-sentence investigation report, the trial court sentenced Boyd to a term of twenty years. Boyd filed this timely appeal.