Sparks v. State

Under an indictment charging murder in the first degree, appellant was convicted of murder in the second degree and the jury fixed his punishment at imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term of thirty years. He was represented by court appointed counsel and at arraignment pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. After sentence was imposed he gave notice of appeal and was furnished a free transcript. Trial counsel was appointed to represent appellant on this appeal.

On Sunday night, July 17, 1977, the deceased, Donna Madeline Tucker, and her date, Mark Martin, went to the…