State v. Smith

In the Circuit Court of New Madrid County the defendant, Frank Smith, was convicted of murder in the first degree for shooting and killing one Lee Haskins. His punishment was fixed by the jury at life imprisonment. He was duly sentenced in accordance with the verdict and he appeals. The serious question presented by the record is whether or not there was sufficient evidence to authorize submission of the case to the jury and to sustain the verdict of guilty.

The evidence on behalf of the State showed in substance the following:

Defendant and Haskins, the deceased, were both negroes living in…