Williams v. State

DICKSON, Justice.

The defendant, James Robert Williams, was convicted of murder and voluntary manslaughter. He raises the following issues in this direct appeal:

1. right to presence of counsel during psychiatric examination;

2. trial court's comments during voir dire;

3. order of seating potential jurors;

4. pretrial publicity;

5. admission of photographs of victims;

6. trial court's calling and examining court-appointed experts; and

7. refusal of tendered instructions.

1. Right to Presence of Counsel During Psychiatric Examination

The defendant pleaded insanity, and defense counsel asked the trial…