Atkins v. State

Almand, Chief Justice.

James Atkins, along with three other named parties, was indicted on November 16, 1970, by the grand jury of Bulloch County for the offense of murder of Ray Howard while in the commission of a felony, viz. armed robbery, by shooting him with a pistol.

The case against Atkins came on for arraignment on November 19, 1970, and upon formal arraignment he pled not guilty. He was tried on November 30, 1970. The jury returned a verdict of guilty with a recommendation of mercy, and he was given a life sentence. His amended motion for a new trial being overruled, Atkins filed his…