Stumbo v. Commonwealth

CAMMACK, Judge.

Isaac Stumbo was charged with the willful murder of Frank Shepherd, whom he shot fatally on the afternoon of August 28, 1955. He was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, and sentenced to 10 years in prison. On this appeal Stumbo contends that the evidence showed he acted in self-defense, and as a consequence his motion for a directed verdict should have been sustained. He contends further that the verdict was the result of passion and prejudice, aroused in part by the alleged inflammatory argument of the Commonwealth’s Attorney.

August 28th was a Sunday. Stumbo and his…