People v. Watkins

Defendant Henry Lee Watkins was convicted of second-degree murder of Walter McDonald and of first-degree assault upon David Buckner. He contends that the trial court’s refusal to give instructions to the jury relating to lesser included offenses under the circumstances of this case was error. We agree and reverse.

A rather full recital of the evidence in this case is necessary to put the legal issues in perspective. Eddie Watkins and the deceased, Walter McDonald, argued over access to the pool table at New Joe’s Bar where they were drinking. Eddie and Walter apparently resolved the dispute…