Charles v. State

OPINION

ANGELINI, Justice.

Appellant, Joseph Mervin Charles, appeals from a conviction for the murder of his girlfriend, Nevada Ann Stelly. The jury assessed punishment at eighty-five years. In two points of error, Charles argues that statements made by Stelly about the cause of the fire were inadmissible and that there was insufficient evidence to support his conviction.

Facts

Stelly, her fifteen-year old son Jimmy, and Charles lived in a trailer in the Medina River West subdivision. The relationship between Charles and Stelly had been physically abusive for approximately five years. On the…