Hicks v. State

In the court below appellant was indicted, tried and convicted by a jury of the crime of murder in the first degree, and sentenced to suffer death. His motion for a new trial was overruled, and this ruling is assigned as error. The only causes relied on for a new trial may be combined, and this done, the question presented is: Did the court commit reversible error in requiring appellant, over his objection and exception, to first examine the jury on its voir dire?

As we understand appellant, he takes the position that the law will regard as prejudicial any affirmative burden the defendant is…