Buttram v. State

Melton, Justice.

Michael Willard Buttram was convicted of two counts of malice murder, burglary, and theft by taking (an automobile) in connection with the fatal shootings of Tara Cantrell and her mother, Millie Cantrell. The State sought the death penalty, but in the bifurcated trial the jury, after finding the presence of two statutory aggravating circumstances, recommended a sentence of life without parole. Buttram appeals from denial of his amended motion for new trial. Finding no error, we affirm.

1. Buttram and Tara had a tumultuous relationship that Tara ended one month before the…