State v. Atkins

OPINION

ANDERSON, Justice.

On March 6, 1994, the owner of the Snell-ing Motel in Minneapolis was beaten and then shot to death during the course of an attempted robbery by appellant, Tommie Atkins, and his accomplice, Robert Dixon. Atkins was indicted on two counts of first-degree murder — premeditated murder and intentional murder while committing or attempting to commit aggravated robbery. Prior to trial, the state dismissed the charge of premeditated murder. At trial, a jury found Atkins guilty of the remaining charge of intentional murder while committing or attempting to commit aggravated…