Opinion ID: 1713224
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: was mangum's sentence disproportionate and therefore cruel and unusual punishment under the eighth amendment to the united states constitution?

Text: ¶ 26. In his final assignment of error, Mangum argues that because he had no intent to commit the armed robbery and murder Turner, his sentence to life imprisonment is cruel and unusual punishment, especially where an accomplice pled guilty to manslaughter and armed robbery and received a lighter sentence. ¶ 27. The prosecutor acted within his discretion to accept a plea by Bracey. Undoubtedly, this resulted in Bracey receiving less time to serve. Mangum chose not to plead guilty and was subsequently convicted of capital murder by a jury of his peers. The trial court sentenced Mangum to life imprisonment. Miss.Code Ann. § 99-19-101 (1994), provides in part: Upon conviction or adjudication of guilty of a defendant of capital murder, or other capital offense, the court shall conduct a separate sentencing proceeding to determine whether the defendant should be sentenced to death, life imprisonment without eligibility for parole, or life imprisonment. Pursuant to this legislative mandate, Mangum received the lightest sentence the trial court could have given him. This assignment of error is without merit.