Gilchrist v. State

Appellant, Robert S. Gilchrist, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Two issues raised on appeal will be addressed by this court.

Gilchrist first contends that any statements made by him to Derenda Henderson-Gilchrist should not have been admitted because she is his wife by common law marriage. Gilchrist produced substantial demonstrative evidence which factually supported the existence of a common law marriage. This evidence included insurance policies, applications for leases, leases, and medical records in which Derenda either signed her name as "Gilchrist" or indicated…