Barnes v. Commonwealth

COOPER, Justice.

Appellant Beckham B. (“B.B.”) Barnes was convicted by a Wayne Circuit Court jury of intentionally killing Troy Miller, for which he was sentenced to twenty-two years in prison. He appeals to this Court as a matter of right. Ky. Const. § 110(2)(b). We reverse and remand for a new trial because the prosecutor’s closing argument violated Appellant’s right to a fair trial.

I. FACTS.

Appellant admitted killing Miller but contended that he did so in self-defense. Appellant and Miller were friends and had a business relationship. Appellant was a civil engineer and land surveyor, and…