Houston v. State

Two cases were consolidated for trial. Kenneth Ray Houston was convicted of murder in violation of Ala. Code 1975, §13A-6-2, and was sentenced to 53 years' imprisonment. Houston was also convicted of assault in the second degree in violation of § 13A-6-21 and was given a concurrent sentence of 10 years' imprisonment. Houston raises four issues on this appeal from those convictions.

I

Houston contends that he was prejudiced by the conduct of the trial judge concerning two particular matters.

First, the defendant came to court carrying a loaded .357 caliber handgun inside his coat pocket. He also…