Laster v. State

Hines, Justice.

Willie James Laster appeals his convictions for malice murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in connection with the fatal shooting of his business partner, Alexander Berry. Laster challenges the convictions on numerous grounds, and we reverse because the trial court improperly restricted voir dire and the time of closing argument, and failed to properly instruct the jury regarding the return of a verdict of not guilty.

The evidence construed in favor of the verdicts showed that Laster and Berry were co-owners of a car wash. The two men began to have…