Lanham v. State

Hunstein, Chief Justice.

A jury convicted Stacey O. Lanham of the stabbing death of Gerald Mutcherson in connection with a drug deal.1 At trial, Lanham admitted killing Mutcherson, but claimed it was in self defense. On appeal, Lanham contends that the State failed to establish venue and the trial court failed to instruct the jury on the burden of proof for venue. Finding no error, we affirm.

1. Testifying in his own defense at trial, Lanham said he picked up Mutcherson at “the 400 block,” where he lived around 9:00 p.m. on October 5, 2005, and they began driving around. While Mutcherson talked…