Gantt v. State

Second degree manslaughter; sentence: twelve months hard labor.

Appellant was convicted of second degree manslaughter under an indictment charging him with the first degree murder of his wife, Jeannene Mayhall Gantt. The indictment charged that her injury was caused by being struck by the fist or feet of the appellant, "or by means otherwise unknown to the grand jury."

On July 4, 1976, both the appellant and the deceased attended a party given by friends. During the course of the party, several persons noticed that the deceased was crying. She was apparently upset because a former girl friend…