Wilkerson v. State

OPINION

MANNHEIMER, Judge.

Vincent Edward Wilkerson was found guilty of first-degree murder, evidence tampering, and third-degree weapons misconduct (felon in possession of a concealable firearm), all stemming from the shooting death of his brother, Gregory Wilkerson. In this appeal, Wilkerson challenges his murder and evidence-tampering convictions on four grounds.

First, Wilkerson argues that his trial judge committed error by refusing to instruct the jury on heat of passion (a defense that potentially could have reduced the homicide to manslaughter).

Second, Wilkerson argues that the jury…