John R. Armstrong v. Terry L. Armstrong

RANDOLPH, Presiding Justice,

for the Court:

¶ 1. This is a case of first impression regarding the interpretation of Mississippi Code Section 91-5-33, known as the “Slayer Statute,” which states that anyone who “wilfully cause[s] or procure[s]” the death of another shall not inherit from his or her victim. John R. Armstrong, a severely mentally ill man, killed Joan Armstrong, his eighty-year-old mother. This fact is not disputed by any party. The Circuit Court of Jackson County determined that John was not competent to stand trial for the murder of Joan, and John was committed to the state…