Arnett v. Commonwealth

VANCE, COMMISSIONER.

The appellant, James Woodrow Arnett, indicted for willful murder, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years’ confinement in the penitentiary. In his appeal, he contends the trial court erred by admitting evidence of the commission of previous offenses; that the jurors, while deliberating the case, were allowed to make telephone calls and that the jury was improperly allowed to separate.

The appellant shot and killed Carl Gene Adams during or immediately following an altercation between them. After the testimony for the defense was completed, the…