Court of Appeals of Mississippi June 26, 2012, No. 2011-CP-00755-COA (Gray v. State)

FAIR, J.,

for the Court:

¶ 1. In 1998, Bobby Gray was tried for sale of cocaine as a habitual offender. While the jury was deliberating, Gray excused himself to use the restroom and fled the jurisdiction. He was convicted in ab-sentia and sentenced, as a habitual offender, to sixty years imprisonment. While Gray was on the lam, he neglected to file a direct appeal from his conviction and sentence.