Mississippi State Highway Commission v. Haines

Appellant, Mississippi State Highway Commission, filed this eminent domain proceeding against appellees, John Byrd Haines and wife, seeking to condemn a right of way for the limited-access Natchez Trace Parkway through the farm owned by the Haines. An eminent *436domain court found defendants’ damages at $17,500. The commission appealed to the circuit court, where in a de novo hearing the jury awarded $16,000.

The first question, one of jurisdiction, is raised on the cross-appeal of the Haines, Mississippi Code Annotated section 2766 (1956) provides that an appeal from a special court of eminent…