State v. Smith

LeGRAND, Justice.

A jury found defendant guilty of first degree murder in shooting his wife, Judy Smith, to death on July 21, 1972. He appeals, and we affirm the judgment sentencing him to a life term in the penitentiary.

We relate the facts which precipitated this crime. Defendant had been separated from his wife for some time, although the record reflects they maintained a friendly relationship in spite of their differences. After their separation, Judy shared an apartment in Des Moines with Linda Brown. Several evenings prior to the fatal shooting, Miss Brown and Judy were in a tavern called…