State v. Grubbs

CURETON, J.:

Pamela Grubbs appeals her murder conviction arguing she is entitled to a new trial because the circuit court erred in refusing to admit expert testimony regarding the battered spouse syndrome and in refusing to charge the jury the law of voluntary manslaughter. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

FACTS

Grubbs and Clifford Smith lived together in a common law relationship. Grubbs admitted Smith intended to sever the relationship. Late on the evening of November 18, 1998, the Bamberg County Sheriffs Department received a call to respond to the couple’s residence. The caller…