Bolton v. State

Defendant Bolton was convicted of murder in the first degree, was sentenced to the penitentiary for life, and now appeals. We are of opinion that two very material errors were committed in the trial and that the judgment of conviction must be reversed.

1. The court charged the jury at the state’s request as follows:

“If you believe the evidence in this case beyond a reasonable doubt, you should find the defendant guilty of murder.”

Evidence for the state tended to show the guilt of defendant as charged; but there was evidence for the defendant tending to establish facts as follows: The house…