Clarence Troy Watson v. State of Mississippi
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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
NO. 2001-KA-01829-COA
CLARENCE TROY WATSON A/K/A GLENN LAVEL
BENSION
APPELLANT
v.
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
DATE OF TRIAL COURT JUDGMENT:
TRIAL JUDGE:
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED:
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT:
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE:
DISTRICT ATTORNEY:
NATURE OF THE CASE:
TRIAL COURT DISPOSITION:
DISPOSITION:
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:
CERTIORARI FILED:
MANDATE ISSUED:
APPELLEE
1/13/2000
HON. KOSTA N. VLAHOS
HARRISON COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
TOM SUMRALL
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
BY: SCOTT STUART
CONO A. CARANNA, II
CRIMINAL - FELONY
RAPE: SENTENCED TO SERVE TWELVE
YEARS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE MDOC.
AFFIRMED-06/17/2003
BEFORE KING, P.J., THOMAS, IRVING AND CHANDLER, JJ.
IRVING, J., FOR THE COURT:
¶1.
Clarence Troy Watson was found guilty by a Harrison County jury of the crime of forcible rape.
The trial judge sentenced Watson to twelve years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of
Corrections. Watson filed a post-trial motion for a JNOV, or in the alternative, for a new trial. This motion
was denied, and Watson has appealed. He argues on appeal that his right to a speedy trial was violated
and that the evidence is insufficient to support the verdict. He also argues that the verdict of the jury is
against the weight of the evidence.
¶2.
Finding no reversible error, this Court affirms the trial court’s judgment.
FACTS
¶3.
Watson worked at a hair salon as a custodian. Jane Moore1 worked as a cosmetologist at the
same salon. Moore testified that on October 10, 1997, she had run out of hair product supplies and that
she was awaiting a delivery at that time. Watson informed Moore that he had a neighbor who had some
hair product supplies that she could purchase. Moore went with Watson to his apartment and waited there
while Watson went to get his neighbor. Watson returned to the apartment without the neighbor. He
informed Moore that there was no neighbor who sold hair product supplies. Watson then attacked Moore
from behind by grabbing her throat. Moore struggled, and the more she struggled the harder Watson
pressed her throat. Moore then stopped struggling because he was hurting her and she could no longer
breath.
¶4.
Watson then moved Moore to the floor and sat on her chest while he removed her clothes. Moore
asked Watson why was he attacking her. She was afraid for her life because Watson had made threats
that he would kill her. Watson made actions like he was looking for a gun within the couch cushions.
Moore thought Watson was crazy and mad. She tried to reason with him by telling him she would not tell
anyone what happened between them and to just let her go back to work. Watson then tried to put his
penis inside Moore while she scooted away from him. Moore testified that when it was all over with, she
and Watson had sexual intercourse and Watson performed oral sex.
1
The victim's name has been changed to protect her identity.
2
¶5.
Moore returned to the hair salon and later so did Watson. Moore still feared that Watson would
kill her and that he was possibly carrying a gun. Moore was so fearful and upset that she stepped outside
the hair salon. Her co-workers testified that they noticed Moore’s strange behavior and followed her
outside to ask what was wrong. She confided in the hair salon’s owner, Howard Pickens, and told him
what had happened between her and Watson. Pickens then took Moore to the hospital where the staff
performed a rape kit on her.
¶6.
Understandably, Watson's version of events differs from Moore's. Watson testified that he and
Moore went out on numerous occasions and that they had a consensual sexual relationship. Watson
testified that on the day in question, he and Moore left the hair salon to have lunch together and sex at his
apartment. Watson admits that he and Moore had sexual intercourse that day but denies that he used any
force or threatened to kill Moore. Watson suggested that Moore charged him with rape after an argument
that they had concerning his girlfriend. Watson testified that Moore was upset because she wanted him to
end his relationship with his girlfriend so they could be alone in a relationship. Watson refused.
¶7.
While Moore was in the hospital being examined and tested for rape, Watson was in the same
hospital visiting his girlfriend who was a patient. Pickens testified that he saw Watson in the hospital, and
he also saw Watson flee police and hospital security when they tried to approach him.
¶8.
Watson was arrested on October 17, 1997, for the forcible rape of Moore. On March 31, 1998,
Watson was indicted and on May 18, 1998, Watson waived arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty.
Subsequently, various continuances were granted at the behest of both sides, as well as at the behest of
the trial court acting sua sponte. The trial commenced on January 11, 2000. Other pertinent facts will be
related during the discussion of the issues.
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF THE ISSUES
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1. Denial of Speedy Trial
¶9.
Allegations of speedy trial violations are examined and determined on a case-by-case basis due
to the factual specifics of each action. Brengettcy v. State, 794 So. 2d 987, 991 (¶7) (Miss. 2001). A
defendant’s right to a speedy trial is secured by the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States
Constitution and by Article III, Section 26 of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890. Giles v. State, 650
So. 2d 846, 850 (Miss. 1995). A chronology of the relevant dates in the case are as follows:
Oct. 17, 1997
Watson arrested
Mar. 31, 1998
Watson indicted
May 18, 1998
Waiver of Arraignment; Entry of Not Guilty Plea. Trial set for August 3,
1998.
Jul. 29, 1998
Motion for Continuance requested by defense attorney - defense attorney
not ready. Order issued that granted the continuance and reset the trial for
November 2, 1998.
Aug. 28, 1998
Motion and Order for Continuance requested and granted by the trial
court - assigned judge not available week of 11/2/1998 due previously set
civil trial. Trial reset for December 7, 1998.
Nov. 25, 1998
Motion to Dismiss, filed pro se
Dec. 7, 1998
Motion and Order for Continuance requested by the State - DNA
pending with crime lab. Trial reset for March 8, 1999.
Mar. 8, 1999
Motion and Order for Continuance requested by the State - crime
laboratory results not complete. State motions to send evidence to another
crime laboratory. Trial reset for May 10, 1999.
Jun. 8, 1999
Motion to Dismiss, filed pro se
May 13, 1999
Motion for Continuance requested by the trial court - court tried civil case.
Trial reset for September 7, 1999.
Aug. 20, 1999
Motion and demand for Speedy Trial, filed pro se
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Sept. 13, 1999
Sept. 17, 1999
Motion for Continuance requested by the defense attorney - defense
attorney not available and engaged in trial in chancery court. Trial reset
for November 15, 1999.
Sept. 27, 1999
Order explaining that the trial was previously set to begin the week of
September 8, 1999, but due to a short week due to the Labor Day
holiday, the court announced that no trial would be conducted and the
defense agreed to roll matter over to September 13, 1999, for trial. The
order also stated that on September 13, 1999, defense requested
continuance and trial was reset.
Oct. 15, 1999
Demand for Speedy Trial, filed pro se
Oct. 18, 1999
Motion to Dismiss - Right to Speedy trial violation, filed pro se
Nov. 19, 1999
Motion and Order for Continuance requested by the trial court - case not
reached for trial due to ongoing civil trial. Trial reset for January 10,
2000.
Dec. 13, 1999
Demand for Speedy Trial, filed pro se
Jan. 4, 2000
Motion to Dismiss, filed pro se
Jan. 11, 2000
¶10.
Order denying Watson’s motion to dismiss for failure to grant a speedy
trial.
Trial begins
The constitutional right to a speedy trial attaches at the time of a formal indictment, information, or
arrest. Birkley v. State, 750 So. 2d 1245, 1249 (¶ 11) (Miss. 1999). In reviewing a constitutional
challenge, a Mississippi appellate court does not set a specific length of time as being per se
unconstitutional, but instead a four-part balancing test articulated by the U.S. Supreme Court in Barker v.
Wingo, 407 U.S. 514 (1972), is applied to determine if the right to speedy trial has been denied. Smith
v. State, 550 So. 2d 406, 408 (Miss. 1989). The four Barker factors to consider are: (1) length of delay,
(2) reason for delay, (3) the defendant’s assertion of his right to a speedy trial, and (4) the prejudice to the
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defendant. Barker, 407 U.S. at 530. No one of the Barker factors is in itself dispositive, rather a totality
of the circumstances is used. Jefferson v. State, 818 So. 2d 1099, 1106 (¶ 11) (Miss. 2002). “Nor is
the balancing process restricted to theBarker factors to the exclusion of any other relevant circumstances.”
McGhee v. State, 657 So. 2d 799, 802 (Miss. 1995).
The length of the delay
¶11.
The Barker analysis begins with the first factor, length of delay, which operates as the triggering
mechanism. Birkley, 750 So. 2d at 1249 (¶ 13). In this case, we must calculate the delay from the date
of arrest. Watson was arrested on October 17, 1997, and trial did not commence until January 11, 2000.
Therefore, the delay at issue between the arrest and the trial is 817 days. Mississippi case law establishes
that a delay of eight months or longer is presumptively prejudicial. Birkley, 750 So. 2d at 1249 (¶ 14);
State v. Ferguson, 576 So. 2d 1252, 1254 (Miss. 1991). Since this delay is longer than eight months,
an analysis of the other Barker factors is required to resolve Watson's denial of speedy trial issue.
The reason for the delay
¶12.
The second Barker factor requires a determination of the reason for the delay and the party to
whom it is attributable. Delays that are attributable to one party count against that party. Brengettcy, 794
So. 2d at 993 (¶ 13). The risk of “non-persuasion rests with the prosecution,” and where the record is
silent as to the cause of delay, this factor must weigh in favor of the defendant. Id. Any delays in
prosecution attributable to a defendant tolls the running of time. Handley v. State, 574 So. 2d 671, 674
(Miss. 1990). In Mississippi, continuances granted to the defendant not only toll the time but should be
deducted from the total number of days considered in the Barker analysis. Flores v. State, 574 So. 2d
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1314, 1318 (Miss. 1990). Any continuances for “good cause” will toll the running of time, and those dates
are not counted against the State. Id.
¶13.
At least 289 days elapsed between the date of Watson's arrest and the date of his first trial setting
on August 3, 1998. Thereafter, a number of continuances in this matter were ordered at the behest of both
the prosecution and the defense, as well as the court acting sua sponte.
¶14.
The record is silent as to why the case was not set for trial prior to August 2, 1998. The record
does indicate that Watson had new counsel substituted on April 3, 1998. However, the record is silent as
to the reason for the substitution. Also, it does not appear that the substituted counsel was retained by
Watson since, in the order allowing the substitution, the substituted counsel is referred to as a voluntary
contract criminal defender.
¶15.
On July 29, 1998, Watson's attorney requested a continuance of the August 3 trial date, and the
case was reset for trial on November 2, 1998. From August 3, 1998, to November 2, 1998, is ninety-one
days. Since Watson's attorney requested this continuance, these days are charged against Watson and
deducted from the 817 days involved.
¶16.
On August 28, 1998, the trial court sua sponte ordered a continuance for good cause since the
assigned judge was not available the week of November 2, 1998, due to a previously-set civil trial.
Watson’s trial was reset for December 7, 1998. From November 2, 1998, to December 7, 1998, is
thirty-five days.
¶17.
The supreme court has recognized that some continuances are granted because of overcrowded
dockets and understaffed prosecutors, and in these cases this Barker factor will not be weighed heavily
against the State. McGhee, 657 So. 2d at 802. “What should therefore be obvious is that if a shortage
of prosecutorial staff can be good cause for delay, surely shortage of judges is an equally good cause
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shown.” Id. at 803. Furthermore, the supreme court has held that the preempting of a trial by another
case constitutes good cause. Id.
¶18.
On December 7, 1998, the State requested a continuance because the DNA tests were pending
with the crime laboratory. The trial judge found good cause existed for this continuance and reset the trial
for March 8, 1999. From December 7, 1998, to March 8, 1999, is ninety-one days. ¶19.
On March
8, 1999, the crime laboratory results still were not complete. The State requested a continuance and
moved to send the DNA evidence to another laboratory. The trial court found good cause and continued
the trial to May 10, 1999. However, the trial did not take place on this date, and the record reflects that
on May 14, 1999, the trial court entered an order sua sponte resetting the case for trial on September 7,
1999. The order indicated that the case was not tried at the scheduled time because the trial court tried
a civil case during that time. From March 8, 1999, to September 7, 1999, is 183 days.
¶20.
The record reflects that on September 27, 1999, the trial judge entered an order wherein he
explained that the week of September 8, 1999, was a short week due to the Labor Day holiday and that
no trials were conducted during that week. The order also reflects that the defense attorney agreed to
continue the matter for trial on September 13, 1999. The order further reflects that on September 13, the
State announced ready for trial but that the defense attorney requested a continuance because of a
previously-scheduled trial in the chancery court. The order reset the case for trial on November 15, 1999.
However, because of an ongoing civil case, Watson's trial did not take place, and the trial court, on its on
motion, continued the case to the next available date which was January 10, 2000. However, the trial did
not commence until January 11, 2000.
¶21.
From September 7, 1999, to January 11, 2000, is 126 days. Of this number, sixty-nine days are
chargeable to Watson. This number is arrived at by adding the six days involved in the agreed continuance
8
from September 7 to September 13 and the sixty-three days of delay resulting from the continuance, which
Watson requested, from September 13 to November 15.
¶22.
A recapitulation of the accounting shows that of the 817 days occurring between the date of
Watson's arrest and the date of his trial, only 160 days are clearly chargeable to him. Of the remaining 657
days, the trial court found good cause existed for delays totaling 366 days, leaving 291 days for which no
explanation has been provided.
¶23.
A finding of good cause is a finding of ultimate fact, and should be treated on appeal as any other
finding of fact; it will be left undisturbed where there is in the record substantial credible evidence from
which it could have been made. Walton v. State, 678 So. 2d 645, 648-49 (Miss. 1996). Although the
record reflects that good cause existed for a substantial portion of the delay in bringing Watson to trial,
we conclude that this factor weighs in Watson's favor.
The assertion of the right to a speedy trial
¶24.
The third Barker factor to consider is whether Watson asserted his right to a speedy trial before
the actual trial on January 11, 2000. Watson had no duty to bring himself to trial, yet the Mississippi
Supreme Court has found that the defendant “gains far more points under this prong of the Barker test
where he has demanded a speedy trial.” Brengettcy, 794 So. 2d at 994 (¶17) (citing Jaco v. State, 574
So. 2d 625, 632 (Miss. 1990)). Mississippi case law also differentiates a demand for a speedy trial as
being distinct from a demand for dismissal due to violation of the right to a speedy trial. Id.
¶25.
The record reflects that Watson filed three separate pro se demands for a speedy trial. Watson
first asserted and demanded his right to a speedy trial four months before his trial on August 20, 1999. On
September 13, 1999, the trial court entered an order denying the defendant’s motion to dismiss for failure
to grant a speedy trial. The trial court remarked that after reviewing the file and hearing the arguments of
9
counsel, it found that there had been no violation of Watson’s constitutional or statutory speedy trial rights.
Shortly thereafter, on October 15, 1999, Watson again filed a demand for his right to a speedy trial. A few
days later on October 18,1999, Watson filed a motion to dismiss for violation of his constitutional and
statutory rights to a speedy trial. As prejudice, Watson asserted presumptive prejudice by the length of
the delay; interference with his liberty; disruption of his employment; drain of financial resources; curtailment
of his associations; his subjugation to public obloquy; and creation of anxiety in himself, his family and his
friends. Without waiting for the decision of the trial judge on his motion to dismiss, the record shows that
Watson demanded his right to a speedy trial again on or around December 13, 1999. The State concedes
that this Barker factor weighs against the State and in Watson's favor. We agree.
Prejudice to the defendant
¶26.
The final prong of the Barker analysis, prejudice to the defendant, has two aspects: (1) actual
prejudice to the accused in defending his case and, (2) inordinate delay. Atterberry v. State, 667 So. 2d
622, 627 (Miss. 1995). “There are three examples of prejudice which an accused may suffer because of
the delay: (1) oppressive pretrial incarceration, (2) anxiety and concern of the accused, and (3) impairment
of the defenses.” Id. Watson is not required to put forth an affirmative showing of prejudice to prove his
right to a speedy trial has been violated. Id. Nevertheless an absence of prejudice weighs against a finding
of a violation. Id.
¶27.
Watson has not demonstrated any actual prejudice that he has experienced. The extremely lengthy
delay in Watson's case presents presumptive prejudice only. However, on appeal, Watson asserts not only
presumptive prejudice but actual prejudice as well. Watson contends that he had three witnesses who
would have been able to testify at the time of his arrest that he and the victim had a consensual sexual
relationship.
10
¶28.
The unavailability of witnesses as actual prejudice has been presented and reviewed by the supreme
court in several cases. For instance, in Rhymes v. State, 638 So. 2d 1270 (Miss. 1994), the supreme
court rejected the argument that the defendant was prejudiced by the inability to call the victim's brother
as a witness because there was no proof that the defendant had secured the witness prior to trial and lost
him due to the delay, and there was no proof that the defendant had attempted to secure his appearance
by subpoena. Id. at 1274.
¶29.
The argument made by Watson concerning the unavailability of the witnesses was raised by Watson
for the first time in the hearing on his post-trial motion. He did not cite the absence of the witnesses as
prejudice when he filed his motion to dismiss for denial of a speedy trial in October 18, 1999. At the
hearing on Watson's motion for a new trial, Watson’s trial attorney testified that he had no recollection of
a discussion of witness testimony with Watson, nor had he requested that any witnesses be subpoenaed.
This denial by Watson’s trial attorney of any witness testimony regarding an ongoing sexual relationship
between Watson and Moore refutes the actual prejudice asserted by Watson. Thus this assertion regarding
the unavailability of witnesses lacks merit.
¶30.
Watson has not shown any actual prejudice that he has suffered in the defense of his case nor has
he shown this Court that there has been an interference with his liberty. Therefore, this factor cannot weigh
in his favor. Without a showing of actual prejudice, Watson is left with only presumptive prejudice.
“Where the delay is neither intentional or egregiously protracted, and where there is no showing of actual
prejudice, the balance is struck in favor of rejecting the defendant's speedy trial claim." Rhymes, 638 So.
2d at 1275.
¶31.
Having reviewed all the Barker factors, based on the facts of this case, and considering the totality
of the circumstances, we conclude that Watson was not denied his constitutional right to a speedy trial.
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In reaching this conclusion, we are mindful that Watson did demand a speedy trial on three separate and
distinct occasions. However, his first demand was made a little less than five months before his trial.
During the nearly five months that elapsed after his demand was made, the trial court found good cause
existed for the entire delay. In fact, after Watson filed his pro se motion for a speedy trial on August 20,
1999, his trial counsel sought and obtained a delay of the trial which was set for September 13, 1999, just
twenty-three days after Watson's demand for a speedy trial. Given these facts, and especially the fact that
Watson has failed to demonstrate any actual prejudice, we find that the trial court did not err in denying
Watson's motion to dismiss for violation of his constitutional and statutory right to a speedy trial.
2. Sufficiency and Weight of the Evidence
¶32.
Watson argues that he should have been granted a directed verdict at the conclusion of the State’s
case and that he should have likewise been granted a JNOV after the jury's verdict due to the legal
insufficiency of the evidence. Watson further argues that he should have been granted a new trial because
the jury's verdict was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence.
¶33.
In challenges to the sufficiency of evidence, the standard of review requires that the evidence be
considered in the light most favorable to the State and that all credible evidence consistent with Watson's
guilt be accepted as true. McRee v. State, 732 So. 2d 246, 249 (¶9) (Miss. 1999). In reviewing a claim
of insufficient evidence, an appellate court must review all of the evidence in the light most consistent with
the jury’s verdict. Smith v. State, 802 So. 2d 82, 85 (¶10) (Miss. 2001). The prosecution is given the
benefit of all favorable inferences that may be reasonably drawn from the evidence. Id. “If the facts and
inferences so considered point in favor of the accused with sufficient force that reasonable men could not
have found beyond a reasonable doubt that he was guilty, reversal and discharge are required.” Mangum
12
v. State, 762 So. 2d 337, 341 (¶11) (Miss. 2000). If the evidence is found to be legally insufficient, then
discharge of the defendant is proper. McRee, 732 So. 2d at 249 (¶9).
¶34.
As distinguished from a JNOV, a motion for a new trial asks this Court to vacate the judgment on
grounds related to weight of the evidence, not sufficiency of the evidence. An appellate court’s standard
of review for claims that a conviction is against the overwhelming weight of the evidence is as follows:
[This court] must “accept as true the evidence which supports the verdict and will reverse only
when convinced that the circuit court has abused its discretion in failing to grant a new trial.” A new
trial will be not be ordered unless the verdict is so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the
evidence that to allow it to stand would sanction “unconscionable injustice.”
Smith, 802 So. 2d at 85-86 (¶11) (citing Crawford v. State, 754 So. 2d 1211, 1222 (¶30) (Miss.
2000)). Matters regarding the weight and credibility of the evidence are to be resolved by the jury.
McRee, 732 So. 2d at 249 (¶9).
¶35.
In other words, Watson’s insufficiency of the evidence argument is a question of pure law and is
directed to the trial court's denial of his post-trial motion for JNOV, while his argument that the verdict was
against the overwhelming weight of the evidence is directed to the trial court's denial of his motion for a new
trial and addresses the sound discretion of the trial court. Collier v. State, 711 So. 2d 458, 461-62 (¶
13) (Miss. 1998). As such, a greater quantum of evidence favoring the State is necessary for the State to
withstand a challenge that the verdict is contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence, as
distinguished from the legal sufficiency of the evidence argument. Id. Under our established case law, the
trial judge should set aside a jury's verdict only when, in the exercise of his sound discretion, he is
convinced that the verdict is contrary to the substantial weight of the evidence. Pearson v. State, 428 So.
2d 1361,1364 (Miss. 1983).
13
¶36.
Watson attacks the credibility of the evidence primarily through the victim’s testimony. Specifically,
Watson explains that Moore’s testimony is ambiguous in regards to sexual penetration and the use of force
or threats. Watson emphasizes that without his stipulation to the fact that he and Moore had sexual
intercourse the record would be unclear if any intercourse occurred at all. Watson further attacks the
evidence as being scant and questionable with his comments that the rape kit did little to corroborate that
there was forcible sex. Watson repeatedly contends that there was insufficient physical evidence that
Moore was forcibly raped or that she acted out of fear. On the element of force, he argues that the
evidence is not sufficient, credible, or substantial. However, when the evidence is viewed in the light of the
appropriate standard, Watson's argument is clearly without merit.
¶37.
First, as to Watson's assertion that Moore’s testimony was unsubstantiated and uncorroborated,
our case law clearly holds that the “unsupported word of the victim of a sex crime is sufficient to support
a guilty verdict where that testimony is not discredited or contradicted by other credible evidence,
especially if the conduct of the victim is consistent with the conduct of one who has been victimized by a
sex crime.” Collier, 711 So. 2d at 462 (¶15). A person may be found guilty of rape on the
uncorroborated testimony of the prosecuting witness.” Otis v. State, 418 So. 2d 65, 67 (Miss. 1982).
The supreme court has not only recognized as corroborating evidence the victim's physical and mental
condition after the incident, but the fact that she immediately reported the rape as well. Collier, 711 So.
2d at 462 (¶15).
¶38.
Moore’s mental state following the rape was consistent with the conduct of someone who had been
raped. Moore's boss described Moore as looking “crazy” when she returned to the hair salon. Moore
told her boss about the rape. Her boss took her to the hospital for a medical analysis. The police were
called. This activity is indicative of a rape having occurred.
14
¶39.
Watson categorically denies that he forced Moore to have intercourse with him and maintains that
this is a case of his word against her word. Watson insists that Moore’s testimony stretches credulity.
Moore fervently maintained in her testimony that she did not agree to have sex with Watson and that the
intercourse was against her will. She testified that she struggled with Watson but that he pushed her to the
floor and threatened her. Although there were few small signs of external injury and no sperm was found,
the presence of either is not considered absolutely determinative of rape. "The rule is that physical force
on the part of the assailant, or physical resistance on the part of the victim, is not necessary if the proof
shows beyond a reasonable doubt that the female surrendered because of fear arising out of a reasonable
apprehension of great bodily harm." Davis v. State, 406 So. 2d 795, 801 (Miss. 1981) (citing Fields v.
State, 293 So. 2d 430, 432 (Miss. 1974)). The testimony of Moore evidenced a reasonable apprehension
of bodily harm.
¶40.
It is the jury's duty to weigh conflicting testimony and witness credibility. Gandy v. State, 373 So.
2d 1042, 1045 (Miss. 1979). Juries are empaneled to resolve questions of fact. We will not substitute
our factual findings for that of the jury in a contest of credibility. The conflict between the testimony of
Watson and Moore was properly resolved by the jury. Collier, 711 So. 2d at 462 (¶ 18).
¶41.
This contention of Watson is without merit.
¶42. THE JUDGMENT OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF HARRISON COUNTY OF
CONVICTION OF RAPE AND SENTENCE OF TWELVE YEARS IN THE CUSTODY OF
THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IS AFFIRMED. ALL COSTS OF
THIS APPEAL ARE ASSESSED TO HARRISON COUNTY.
McMILLIN, C.J., KING AND SOUTHWICK, P.JJ., BRIDGES, THOMAS, LEE,
MYERS, CHANDLER AND GRIFFIS, JJ., CONCUR.
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