State v. Smith

An information was filed in the circuit court of Randolph County charging appellant, a negro, with murder in the first degree 'for having killed his wife, Nellie May Smith, on March 15,1942, in that county. Appellant’s application for change of venue was sustained and the case was sent to the circuit court of Howard County. The regular judge was disqualified and the Honorable W. M. Dinwiddie of the 34th judicial circuit was called as special judge. On September 12, 1944, the jury found appellant guilty of murder in the second degree and he was duly sentenced in accordance with the verdict.

Appe…