State v. Rodriguez

Anthony Rodriguez appeals his conviction of deliberate homicide following a jury trial in the Yellowstone County District Court. He was sentenced to a term of 40 years imprisonment.

The defendant challenges the transfer of his case from Youth Court to District Court, the sufficiency of the evidence to convict him, and the trial court instructions to the jury on the statutory mental states “purposely” and “knowingly.” In addition, he raises several collateral issues relating to pretrial matters. We affirm.

Early on the evening of July 14, 1979, Rodriguez, age 17, entered Al’s Tavern in Billings,…