Walker v. State

Smith, Justice.

This is a death penalty case. Richard Walker was convicted in *150Washington County of murder, burglary, and first degree arson. He was sentenced to death for the murder. The case is here on direct appeal, for review under the Unified Appeal Procedure (252 Ga. A-13 et seq.), and for the sentence review required by OCGA § 17-10-35.1

In late April of 1983, Walker’s wife filed for divorce. When Walker was served with the divorce papers, he became very angry and upset and stated that he had to “get out of town . . . fast” or he would “do something bad.” Walker told two co-workers that…