Smith v. State

Elsijane T. Roy, Justice.

On July 8, 1974, David Powell, a desk clerk employed by the Rose Motel, was shot in the abdomen while on duty. Two persons outside the motel, hearing the gunshot, observed two black males running out of the motel lobby and saw one throw a sawed-off shotgun in the hedges on the side of the motel. One of the witnesses noted the license number of the vehicle which pulled away. The police were notified, and appellant and two other persons found at the address indicated by the license registration form were arrested. After his arrest appellant signed a rights form and…