Scruggs v. Commonwealth

STERNBERG, Justice.

On February 5, 1976, the Grand Jury of Allen County, Kentucky, returned an indictment against the appellant for “the offense of murder by shooting Martha Louise Scruggs with a high powered rifle.” KRS 507.020(l)(a). After an eight-day trial the appellant was found guilty of murder and his punishment fixed at 20 years’ imprisonment. On this appeal the appellant claims sixteen prejudicial errors.

James and Martha Scruggs had been married for twelve years and had four children, ages 12,11,10 and 6. They lived on a farm in the “Settle” community of Allen County, Kentucky. Their…