State v. Doby

Ness, Justice:

Appellant Doby was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. We affirm.

Sally Ann Hutchinson died from a stab wound to her chest. There were no signs of forced entry into her home, and although her clothes were disarranged, there was no evidence of sexual contact. Appellant confessed to her murder two years later.

Appellant first asserts error in a remark by the trial judge during defense counsel’s opening argument. After defense counsel had characterized the State’s burden of proof as “goobledy gook” and appellant’s right to take the stand as “mumbo jumbo,” the…