Opinion ID: 1935963
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: did the trial court err in granting instructions s-4 and s-5 and in denying defense instructions d-4, d-11, and d-12?

Text: Gollott complains that the evidence is insufficient to support S-4, a heat of passion manslaughter instruction. Gollott further alleges S-4 is an incorrect statement of the law. Gollott also contends that S-4, the heat of passion instruction, conflicts with S-1 and S-2, the deliberate design instructions. Regarding S-5, a circumstantial evidence instruction, Gollott argues it is peremptory, an improper statement of the law, and an impermissible comment on the evidence. This Court does not review jury instructions in isolation. Malone v. State, 486 So.2d 360, 365 (Miss. 1986). If the instructions given provide correct statements of the law and are supported by the evidence, there is no prejudice to the defendant. Sanders v. State, 313 So.2d 398, 401 (Miss. 1975). This Court has fully examined the instructions granted by the trial court in the case sub judice and finds that, taken together, the jury was correctly and completely charged. Regarding the instructions Gollott claims the trial court erroneously refused, Gollott failed to object to the refusal of D-4. As a result, this Court is not bound to address the alleged error on appeal. Lockett v. State, 517 So.2d 1317, 1332-33 (Miss. 1987), cert denied, 487 U.S. 1210, 108 S.Ct. 2858, 101 L.Ed.2d 895 (1988). Instruction D-11, which was also refused by the trial court, defines willful and intent. This Court has specifically stated that trial courts need not grant defendant's instructions defining willful, as that definition is a matter of interpretation for the jury. Ramon v. State, 387 So.2d 745, 751 (Miss. 1980). Instruction S-1 provided the jury with a correct definition of intent and trial courts are under no obligation to grant cumulative instructions. Medley v. State, 600 So.2d 957, 962 (Miss. 1992). Gollott's D-12 instruction was given to the jury during deliberations. Gollott does not argue that the timing of the submission was wrong, only that the instruction should have been given. It was. There is no error here.