Rodgers v. State

Harry F. Barnes, Special Judge.

On the night of September 25, 1974, Fern Rodgers was shot and killed at her home in Searcy. Approximately two weeks later Mrs. Rodgers’ husband, Porter R. Rodgers, Sr., the appellant herein, was charged in her death with capital felony murder. The appellant entered pleas of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity.

Both the deceased and the appellant were very prominent, longtime residents of White County. Dr. Rodgers was a seventy year old physician actively engaged in a profitable medical practice in Searcy. He was estranged from his wife and had lived…