State v. Woollen

TURNAGE, Judge.

Lionel E. Woollen was found guilty by a jury of second degree murder in the death of his wife Margaret. In accordance with the jury’s recommendation, the court sentenced him to 20 years confinement. On this appeal, Woollen contends the trial judge erred in failing to disqualify himself prior to conducting a hearing on a motion for new trial, and in failing to grant a new trial on grounds of newly discovered evidence. Affirmed.

Margaret Woollen died on July 12, 1980. At the time of her death, she and Lionel had been married just over six months. At about 9:30 p.m. on July 12,…