Martin v. State

OPINION

SINGLETON, Judge.

Adele Martin was convicted of murder in the first degree, AS 11.41.100. She received the minimum twenty-year sentence. She appeals arguing that the court improperly instructed the jury, erred in denying her motion for judgment of acquittal, and erred in denying a motion for mistrial. Martin also contends that the minimum twenty-year sentence for first-degree murder is unconstitutional. We affirm.

Adele Martin shot and killed Clyde Paus-tian, a man with whom she had lived for approximately ten years at the time of the shooting. During November 1980, Paustian indicated…