Opinion ID: 1788387
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The State's Conflicting Theories of the Case

Text: ¶ 62. Jordan claims that the State's theory at his trial conflicts with the State's theory at Edwards's later trial for the same two capital murders. During closing argument in the guilt phase of Jordan's trial, the District Attorney argued that this man right over here [Jordan] fired that fatal shot. Later, in Edwards's trial, the District Attorney argued that Edwards is responsible for both of these murders. Jordan claims that the theories conflict and that he was deprived of a fair trial and sentencing hearing. ¶ 63. This claim was not raised at trial or on direct appeal; therefore, this claim is barred from consideration for the first time on post-conviction review. See Miss. Code Ann. § 99-39-21. See also Wiley v. State, 750 So.2d 1193, 1208 (Miss.1999). ¶ 64. Procedural bar aside, we find that the statements do not conflict. The statement that Jordan fired the shot that killed Roberts is consistent with the State's theory in Jordan's trial and with the evidence. Jordan admitted that he fired one shot at Roberts after Edwards shot him first. Jordan stated that his shot caused Roberts to fall. Roberts was shot twice in the head with only one of the wounds being fatal. That statement does not contradict the District Attorney's later argument that Edwards was responsible for both murders. In fact, both Edwards and Jordan were responsible for both murders by participating in the plan to rob and kill the victim in order to prevent later identification and by shooting at Roberts and disposing of the bodies. This argument does not demonstrate the cause and actual prejudice necessary to overcome the procedural bar to the consideration of this claim for the first time on post-conviction review. We find no merit in this issue.