State v. Flett

Evelyn A. Flett was indicted for the crime of second-degree murder and was convicted of the included crime of manslaughter. She appeals.

The facts are obscure. There were no witnesses to the killing except the defendant. The state attempted to prove that the defendant purposely stabbed her husband with a paring knife. The defendant contended the killing was an accident. The state did not allege or attempt to prove premeditation.

The marriage was brief and turbulent. The evidence suggests that both parties drank excessively. The killing occurred during a quarrel. The state tried to persuade the…