Butler v. State

HARRIS, Judge.

Appellant was convicted of murder in the first degree and sentenced to life imprisonment in the penitentiary. At arraignment with a court-appointed lawyer he pleaded not guilty. After conviction he sought and obtained a free transcript and new counsel was appointed to represent him on appeal.

On the afternoon of May 6, 1972, several men had gathered at 2709 7th Avenue, North, Birmingham, Alabama, to gamble a card game called “skin”. Between 3:00 and 4:00 P.M. appellant and the deceased got into an argument. The argument was concerning money. Appellant claimed the deceased owed…