The People v. Goodpaster

The defendant, Dr. Walter J. Goodpaster, was indicted in the circuit court of Williamson County for the murder of Margaret Strunk. On motion of defendant, the venue was changed to Massac County where the defendant was tried by a jury, found guilty, and sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of 199 years. Defendant’s petition under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act was denied. Defendant appeals from the original judgment and the order denying his subsequent petition, on the ground that his constitutional rights were violated.

The decedent, Margaret Strunk, was killed by a shot from a Mi .30…