Williams v. State

Weltner, Justice.

Elester Williams shot and killed Richmond Johnson with a handgun. He was convicted of malice murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Williams and his wife were married in 1969, but lived together for less than a year before they separated. They were not divorced, and over the years maintained a friendly relationship. On the evening of the killing, Williams went to his wife’s residence to retrieve some of his personal property. Johnson and Williams’ wife were in a vehicle parked near the wife’s home. A confrontation took place. Williams testified that Johnson cursed him;…