Julius Bender v. State of Mississippi

WESTBROOKS, J., FOR THE COURT:

¶ 1. Julius Ladale Bender was indicted in the Circuit Court of the Second Judicial District of Jasper County on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. After a jury trial, Bender was sentenced as a non-violent habitual offender to ten years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Bender filed for a judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) or, in the alternative, for a new trial. The circuit court denied his motion. Bender appeals.

¶ 2. On appeal, Bender's appellate counsel filed a brief in compliance with Lindsey v. State…