Hughes v. State

SUMMERS, Chief Justice.

John Hughes was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, and the jury assessed punishment at confinement for twenty years and a $10,000 fine. Because we find error in that part of the court’s charge relating to the defense of another, we reverse the judgment and remand the cause for a new trial.

Sometime in January 1982, prior to the day of the killing, Hughes and others were visiting at the home of Mary Hodge. They had been there about fifteen minutes when Rodney Johnson (the deceased) arrived. Hughes approached Johnson to greet him. Johnson hit Hughes with his fist, and…