Pilley v. State

LAWSON, Justice.

Appellant, Robert S. Pilley, was indicted for the murder of George Nolan Goatley, by shooting him with a pistol. He was unable to employ counsel, so the trial court appointed a practicing attorney of the Jefferson County Bar to represent him. § 318, Title 15, Code 1940. He pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity, and was found guilty of murder in the first degree and sentenced to death by electrocu tion. The appeal here is under the automatic appeal statute. Act No. 249, Acts 1943, page 217, approved June 24, 1943, Code 1940, Tit. 15, §§ 382(1)-382(13).

The…