Mississippi Supreme Court

Hand Down Lists
July 23, 1998

07/23/1998 - Hand Down and published opinions in WordPerfect/ZIP format

Waller, William L., Jr.
X 97-CA-00378-SCT

Walls, Paul v. Lester Spell, Commissioner of Agriculture & Commerce Jackson Chancery Court; LCCase #961290; Ruling:02/28/1997 Pat Watts, Jr. Majority Opinion: Waller, J. Disposition: Reversed and Remanded. Appellee taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., Banks, J., McRae, J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Mills, J., Concur. Prather, C.J., Concurs in result only.

Mills, Michael P.
X 97-CA-00100-SCT

Rennie, Frederick v. Barbara E. Rennie Harrison Chancery Court 1st District; LCCase #9600255; Ruling:12/20/1996 Jason Floyd, Jr. Majority Opinion: Mills, J. Disposition: Affirmed in Part; Reversed and Rendered in Part. Appellant and Appellee taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., Banks, J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Waller, J., Concur. McRae, J., Concurs in result only.

Mills, Michael P.
U 97-CA-00525-SCT

Dorr, Norman v. Betty June Dorr Hinds Chancery Court 1st District; LCCase #G951954; Ruling:02/05/1997 Pat Wise Majority Opinion: Mills, J. Disposition: Affirmed. Appellant taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., Banks, J., McRae, J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Waller, J., Concur.

Mills, Michael P.
X 97-KA-00641-SCT

McDonald, Charles a/k/a Charles W. McDonald a/k/a Charles William McDonald v. State of Mississippi Jones Circuit Court 2nd District; LCCase #9969; Ruling:05/12/1997 Billy Landrum Majority Opinion: Mills, J. Disposition: Reversed and Remanded. Appellee taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., Banks, J., McRae, J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Waller, J., Concur.

Mills, Michael P.
XXX 96-CA-01143-SCT

Hasse, Joel William, Jr. v. Barbara Anne Hasse Shane Jackson Chancery Court; LCCase #943140; Ruling:08/23/1996 Pat Watts, Jr. Majority Opinion: Mills, J. Disposition: Reversed and Remanded. Appellee taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Concur. Pittman, P.J., Waller, J., Concur in result only. Concurring Opinion: Banks, J. Votes: Pittman, P.J., Waller, J., Join. Specially Concurring OpiniMcRae, J. Votes: Banks, J., Waller, J., Join in Part.

Mills, Michael P.
U 96-KA-01295-SCT

Young, Betty a/k/a Betty Joyce Young v. State of Mississippi Jefferson Davis Circuit Court; LCCase #4231; Ruling:09/13/1996 Michael Eubanks Majority Opinion: Mills, J. Disposition: Conviction of sale of a controlled substance and sentence of twenty (20) years, to serve fifteen (15) years with five (5) years suspended in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, with conditions, affirmed. Appellant taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., Banks, J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Waller, J., Concur. McRae, J., Concurs in result only.

Smith, James W., Jr.
U 97-CP-00024-SCT

Elliott, Vantonias v. State of Mississippi Marshall Circuit Court; LCCase #8481; Ruling:12/16/1996 R. Coleman Majority Opinion: Smith, J. Disposition: Denial of post-conviction relief affirmed. Marshall County taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., Banks, J., McRae, J., Roberts, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur.

Smith, James W., Jr.
U 97-CP-01254-SCT

Edwards, Richard C. a/k/a Richard Charles Edwards v. State of Mississippi Lauderdale Circuit Court; LCCase #97CV179; Ruling:10/01/1997 Robert Bailey Majority Opinion: Smith, J. Disposition: Denial of post-conviction relief affirmed. Lauderdale County taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., Banks, J., McRae, J., Roberts, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur.

Smith, James W., Jr.
X 95-KA-00983-SCT

Watts, Milton E. a/k/a Milton Eiff Watts a/k/a Milton Smith v. State of Mississippi Issaquena Circuit Court; LCCase #4223; Ruling:04/13/1995 Frank Vollor Majority Opinion: Smith, J. Disposition: COUNT I: Conviction of depraved heart murder and sentence of life imprisonment in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections affirmed. COUNT II: Conviction of armed robbery with a deadly weapon and sentence of thirty-five years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections affirmed. Sentence in Count I to run consecutively with the sentence in Count II. Issaquena County taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Pittman, P.J., Banks, J., McRae, J., Roberts, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur. Sullivan, P.J., Concurs in result only.

McRae, Chuck
X 97-CC-00101-SCT

Bay St. Louis Community Association, Preserve Diamondhead Quality, Inc., Gulf Islands Conservancy, Inc., and Concerned Citizens to Protect The Isles and Point, Inc. v. Commission on Marine Resources, Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission and Casino World, Inc. Hancock Chancery Court; LCCase #960707; Ruling:12/30/1996 Jason Floyd, Jr. Majority Opinion: McRae, J. Disposition: Reversed and Remanded for proceedings consistent with the Opinion of this Court. Appellee taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur. Banks, J., Concurs in result only.

McRae, Chuck
U 97-KA-00258-SCT

Chambers, David v. State of Mississippi Tunica Circuit Court; LCCase #2833; Ruling:11/21/1996 Elzy Smith, Jr. Majority Opinion: McRae, J. Disposition: Conviction of touching a child for lustful purposes and sentence of six (6) years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, payment of a fine of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) and all court costs affirmed. Sentence imposed shall run consecutively with any and all sentences previously imposed. Appellant taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., Banks, J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur.

McRae, Chuck
U 97-CA-00535-SCT

Pelahatchie, Town of v. Erma Fortenberry Rankin Circuit Court; LCCase #95198; Ruling:03/14/1997 Robert Goza, Jr. Majority Opinion: McRae, J. Disposition: Judgment affirmed. Appellant taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., Banks, J., Roberts, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur. Smith, J., Not Participating.

McRae, Chuck
X 96-CA-00592-SCT

Mississippi Transportation Commission v. SCI, Inc. Hancock Circuit Court; LCCase #940301; Ruling:05/07/1996 John Whitfield Majority Opinion: McRae, J. Disposition: Affirmed in Part; Reversed and Remanded in Part. Appellant and Appellee taxed equally with costs. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Banks, J., Smith, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur. Roberts, J., Concurs in result only. Pittman, P.J., Not Participating.

Banks, Fred L., Jr.
U 97-CP-00644-SCT

Jenkins, James v. State of Mississippi Sunflower Circuit Court; LCCase #960170; Ruling:04/22/1997 Betty Sanders Majority Opinion: Banks, J. Disposition: Denial of post conviction relief affirmed. Sunflower County taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., McRae, J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur.

Banks, Fred L., Jr.
U 96-KA-01282-SCT

Palmer, Lloyd, III a/k/a Lloyd Palmer, Jr. v. State of Mississippi Wilkinson Circuit Court; LCCase #4707; Ruling:10/29/1996 Lillie Sanders Majority Opinion: Banks, J. Disposition: Conviction of sale of a schedule II controlled substance, cocaine, and sentence of twelve years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections affirmed. Appellant taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., McRae, J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur.

Pittman, Edwin Lloyd
U 97-CA-00293-SCT

Wilson, Jessie B. and Mississippi Division of Medicaid v. Edward F. White, Jr. Lauderdale Circuit Court; LCCase #94CV026; Ruling:02/03/1997 Robert Bailey Majority Opinion: Pittman, P.J. Disposition: Affirmed. Appellant taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., McRae, J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur. Banks, J., Concurs in Part.

Pittman, Edwin Lloyd
U 96-CA-01027-SCT

Rackley, James Victor v. Shirley Nolen Rackley Monroe Chancery Court; LCCase #30064; Ruling:08/21/1996 John Ross, Jr. Majority Opinion: Pittman, P.J. Disposition: Affirmed. Appellant taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Banks, J., McRae, J., Smith, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur. Roberts, J., Not Participating.

Pittman, Edwin Lloyd
U 96-CA-01242-SCT

Byrd, James C. and Judith D. Byrd v. H. L. Williams, Jr. Alcorn Chancery Court; LCCase #960102; Ruling:10/18/1996 Charles Thomas Majority Opinion: Pittman, P.J. Disposition: Reversed and Rendered. Appellee taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Banks, J., McRae, J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Waller, J., Concur. Mills, J., Not Participating.

Sullivan, Michael David
X 97-CA-00300-SCT

Childers, James William v. Vicky Lynn Simmons Childers Alcorn Chancery Court; LCCase #960017; Ruling:02/05/1997 John Ross, Jr. Majority Opinion: Sullivan, P.J. Disposition: Affirmed in Part; Reversed and Remanded in Part. Appellant taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Banks, J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur. McRae, J., Concurs in result only. Pittman, P.J., Not Participating.

Sullivan, Michael David
XX 96-CA-01273-SCT

Simmons, Stanley and Wife, Sonnia Simmons, Owners v. Mississippi Transportation Commission Walthall Special Court of Eminent Domain; LCCase #960005A; Ruling:11/13/1996 Mike Smith Majority Opinion: Sullivan, P.J. Disposition: Affirmed. Appellant taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Pittman, P.J., Banks, J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur. Dissenting Opinion: McRae, J.

Prather, Lenore L.
XX 96-KA-00299-SCT

Cavett, Patrick Lamar v. State of Mississippi Hinds Circuit Court 1st District; LCCase #952243 ; Ruling:02/27/1996 James Graves, Jr. Majority Opinion: Prather, C.J. Disposition: Conviction of murder and sentence of life imprisonment in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections affirmed. Hinds County taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Pittman, P.J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur. Dissenting Opinion: Sullivan, P.J. Votes: Banks, J., McRae, J., Join.

Prather, Lenore L.
XX 96-KA-00470-SCT

Strahan, Robert v. State of Mississippi Hinds Circuit Court 1st District; LCCase #952244; Ruling:02/27/1996 James Graves, Jr. Majority Opinion: Prather, C.J. Disposition: Conviction of murder and sentence of life imprisonment in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections affirmed. Hinds County taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Pittman, P.J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur. Dissenting Opinion: Sullivan, P.J. Votes: Banks, J., McRae, J., Join.

EN BANC
XX 94-CT-01135-SCT

Dabney, Moses, III and Jason Phalo v. State of Mississippi Hinds Circuit Court 1st District; LCCase #941292; Ruling:09/30/1994 William Coleman Majority Opinion: Sullivan, P.J. Disposition: Reversed and Remanded. Hinds County taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Pittman, P.J., Banks, J., McRae, J., Mills, J., Concur. Waller, J., Not Participating. Dissenting Opinion: Smith, J. Votes: Roberts, J., Joins in Part.

EN BANC
95-CT-00124-SCT

Higgins, Patrick a/k/a Patrick J. Higgins a/k/a Patrick Joseph Higgins v. State of Mississippi Warren Circuit Court; LCCase #11703; Ruling:12/19/1994 Isadore Patrick, Jr. Disposition: Petition for Writ of Certiorari filed by the State of Mississippi, denied. To Deny: Prather, C.J., Sullivan and Pittman, P.JJ., Banks, Roberts, Mills and Waller, JJ. To Grant: McRae and Smith, JJ. Order entered.

EN BANC
X 95-CT-00437-SCT

Freeman, Tory, an Individual, and Empire Gas of Bay Springs, Mississippi, Inc. v. Huseman Oil International, Inc. Adams Chancery Court; LCCase #40444; Ruling:04/05/1995 Hyde Jenkins, II Majority Opinion: Waller, J. Disposition: Reversed and Rendered. Appellee taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., Banks, J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Mills, J., Concur. McRae, J., Concurs in result only.

EN BANC
X 95-DP-00915-SCT

Brewer, Kennedy v. State of Mississippi Noxubee Circuit Court; LCCase #5999; Ruling:03/25/1995 Lee Howard Majority Opinion: Banks, J. Disposition: On change of venue to Lowndes County. Conviction of capital murder while engaged in the commission of sexual battery and sentence of death affirmed. Execution date to be set within sixty days of final Disposition of this case pursuant to Miss. Code Ann., Section 99-19-105(7) (1972) and M.R.A.P. 41(a). Noxubee County taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., McRae, J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur.

EN BANC
95-CT-01253-SCT

Keller, James Mack v. State of Mississippi Claiborne Circuit Court; LCCase #4903; Ruling:04/20/1995 Lamar Pickard Disposition: Petition for Writ of Certiorari filed by James Mack Keller, denied. To Deny: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Banks, McRae, Roberts, Smith, Mills and Waller, JJ. Not Participating: Pittman, P.J. Order entered.

EN BANC
95-CA-01352-SCT

Moreland, Mittie v. Jane Riley, Individually, Jane Riley, as Guardian of the Estate of Stefan Nicholas Moreland, a minor, and Jane Riley as Administratrix De Bonis of the Estate of Mark Stephen Moreland, Deceased Lee Chancery Court; LCCase #37282; Ruling:11/08/1995 Jerry Mason Disposition: Motion for Rehearing denied. McRae and Mills, JJ., would grant. Roberts, J., not participating.

EN BANC
XX 96-KA-00452-SCT

Stevens, Glynn v. State of Mississippi Hinds Circuit Court 1st District; LCCase #952242CR; Ruling:02/27/1996 James Graves, Jr. Majority Opinion: Prather, C.J. Disposition: Reversed and Remanded for a new trial. Hinds County taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., Banks, J., McRae, J., Waller, J., Concur. Dissenting Opinion: Smith, J. Votes: Roberts, J., Mills, J., Join.

EN BANC
96-CA-00532-SCT

Hester, David E. a/k/a David Earl Hester v. State of Mississippi Sunflower Circuit Court; LCCase #960068; Ruling:05/23/1996 Gray Evans Disposition: Appellant's Motion to Strike appellee's response to the motion for rehearing denied. Order entered.

EN BANC
XXX 96-CA-00564-SCT

Mercier, Margaret Skinner v. Steve Mercier Marion Chancery Court; LCCase #24069; Ruling:04/30/1996 William Taylor, Jr. Majority Opinion: Mills, J. Disposition: Affirmed. Appellant taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., McRae, J., Roberts, J., Concur. Specially Concurring OpiniMcRae, J. Votes: Roberts, J., Joins. Dissenting Opinion: Waller, J. Votes: Banks, J., Smith, J., Join.

EN BANC
96-CT-01268-SCT

Marshall Durbin Farms, Inc. v. James H. Clark Leake Circuit Court; LCCase #960009; Ruling:09/09/1996 Marcus Gordon Disposition: Petition for Writ of Certiorari filed by Marshall Durbin Farms, Inc., denied. To Deny: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Banks, McRae, Roberts, Smith, Mills and Waller, JJ. Not Participating: Pittman, P.J. Order entered.

EN BANC
U 96-CA-01344-SCT

Wooldridge, Steve A. v. Debra K. Wooldridge Chickasaw Chancery Court 2nd District; LCCase #6545; Ruling:11/20/1996 Woodrow Brand, Jr. Majority Opinion: Banks, J. Disposition: Affirmed. Appellant taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., McRae, J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur. Prather, C.J., Not Participating.

EN BANC
U 97-CA-00094-SCT

Robinson Property Group Limited Partnership, d/b/a Horseshoe Casino and Hotel; and Sheraton Tunica Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, d/b/a Sheraton Casino v. Debra Rodman a/k/a Debra Rodman Powell Tunica Chancery Court; LCCase #960022; Ruling:12/10/1996 Jon Barnwell Majority Opinion: Smith, J. Disposition: Affirmed. Appellants taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., Banks, J., McRae, J., Roberts, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur.

EN BANC
97-M-00834-SCT

In Re: Bogalusa Chemical Release Hinds Circuit Court 1st District; LCCase #96493 James Graves, Jr. Disposition: Petitioner's Petition for Interlocutory Appeal by Permission, denied. To Deny: Sullivan, P.J., Banks, McRae, Roberts and Mills, JJ. To Grant: Smith and Waller, JJ. Not Participating: Prather, C.J., and Pittman, P.J. Order entered.

EN BANC
X 97-CC-00973-SCT

Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance v. Jerry W. Guest Judicial Performance Commission; LCCase #96135168; Ruling:08/14/1997 Majority Opinion: Banks, J. Disposition: Jerry W. Guest is hereby suspended for ninety days without pay, fined $1,500.00 and assessed all costs of this proceeding which total $839.65. Jerry W. Guest taxed with costs of appeal. Votes: Prather, C.J., Sullivan, P.J., Pittman, P.J., Roberts, J., Smith, J., Mills, J., Waller, J., Concur. McRae, J., Not Participating.

EN BANC
97-M-01099-SCT

In Re: The Hattiesburg American Pearl River Chancery Court; LCCase #960418GNT J. Buffington Disposition: Petitioner's Second Petition for Writ of Mandamus to the Chancery Court of Pearl River County granted. That court is directed to vacate the restrictive order in its entirety, or in the alternative, to issue an order expressly allowing counsel and the parties to make statements to the press and public except as specifically prohibited by M.R.E. 615 and Miss. R. Prof'l. Conduct 3.6. McRae, J., dissents and would affirm the trial court. Roberts and Waller, JJ., would deny. Order entered.