JACKSON, Tenn. — The Mississippi Supreme Court affirmed a lower court’s decision to sentence a DeSoto County man to death for the 1993 murders of 82-year-old Betty Boyd, her 48-year-old daughter Verline, and Verline’s 13-year-old daughter Evangelo.
Sherwood Brown appealed the lower court’s decision, continuing his argument that he was mentally retarded and therefore exempt from execution.
He claimed the court applied an incorrect legal standard, the court’s findings of fact were clearly erroneous, and the trial court erred in admitting certain expert testimony.
Brown had the burden of proof to convince the court of his claims, but the Supreme Court determined the trial court proceeded correctly.