Chamness v. State

HUNTER, Justice.

The defendant, Billy Chamness, was convicted by a jury of arson, a class B felony. Ind. Code § 35-43-l-l(a) (Burns 1979 Repl.). He was sentenced to a term of twenty years in the Indiana Department of Correction. In his direct appeal, he presents the following issues for our review:

1. Whether defendant knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently waived his right to counsel prior to testifying before the grand jury; and

2. Whether defendant was coerced into testifying before the grand jury by the state’s threats of extended imprisonment.

On July 22, 1979, fire destroyed the home of…