Wilkins v. State

CATES, Presiding Judge.

Wilkins, convicted of voluntary manslaughter1 appeals from a judgment based on a jury verdict which also fixed punishment at four years imprisonment.

Wilkins shot John Roush with a pistol. The wound was fatal. The place was in a private club2 which had, past the bar, a pool table. Roush was annoying two pool-sharks. Wilkins, who was a quondam, ad hoc or part time bouncer, remonstrated with Roush and in the course of the ensuing confrontation shot him once. The shot caused his death.

Self defense was raised. One defense witness saw a large knife-like “industrial tool”…