Rotino v. State

Gregory, Justice.

Michael L. Rotino was convicted of the murder of his wife, Carlene Faye Rotino, and sentenced to life imprisonment. The evidence at trial authorized the jury to find that on the night of December 5, 1987, the defendant was visiting neighbors. He had been drinking most of the afternoon and night, and according to the neighbors’ testimony, was angry when he left their trailer. Within fifteen minutes of his departure the neighbors saw police arrive at the defendant’s trailer.

Police found the victim dead from a shot in the head with a Winchester lever action rifle. The rifle had…