State v. Sparks

The defendant was tried under an indictment charging him with the murder of one Guy Clary. In addition to his plea of not guilty, he relied upon the law of self-defense and of the defense of the habitation and of his place of business. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to imprisonment for a period of five years.

As there must be a new trial, we will not review the testimony at length. The record discloses that on Sunday evening or night, July 22, 1934, the deceased and four companions went to the home of the defendant about seven miles west of Gaffney. A small part of the dwelling…