Arvin v. Commonwealth

Opinion op the Court by

Judge Willis

Reversing.

The body of a woman was found floating in the river about five miles below the town of Irvine. The body later was identified as that of Vina Townsend, who had disappeared about two months before the body was found. A post mortem revealed a fatal wound behind the right ear. There was evidence to the effect that the woman had not been drowned, and that her death resulted from criminal violence.

The grand jury returned a joint indictment against. Durb Townsend, Alpha Barrett, and Elizabeth Arvin, charging them with the crime of murder. On their* joint…