State v. Thomas

NORWIN D. HOUSER, Special Judge.

A jury convicted Willis Thomas of manslaughter. Committed to the department of corrections for a period of 8 years, Thomas has appealed, claiming improper actions by the Assistant Circuit Attorney, George Peach, in cross-examining appellant’s character witnesses and in commenting on appellant’s prior misconduct. Appellant’s assignments of error are well taken; the judgment of conviction must be reversed.

Thomas shot and killed one Harris following an argument. Thomas testified that Harris brandished a gun during the argument; that shortly thereafter, during the…