Chatman v. State

THOMAS, Justice.

The appellant, James Chatman, was indicted and put on trial for the crime of *476murder in the first degree. He plead not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. Preliminarily a motion for change of venue was denied and the court after two hearings on the subject ruled that the defendant was competent. Thereupon the trial proceeded for five days when the defendant over strenuous objection of the State was allowed to withdraw his two initial pleas and later enter a plea of guilty. The State then moved to recall the jury to hear the remainder of the testimony to determine…