Dawson v. State

Betty Davis Dawson, appellant, was convicted by a jury in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County of manslaughter and use of a hand gun in the commission of a crime of violence. She admits killing the victim, but contends it was in self-defense.

According to the evidence adduced at trial, on the evening of 2 June 1977 appellant and Ray Dawson, her ex-husband with whom she had resumed living, became involved in a heated argument. When Dawson indicated he was going out appellant attempted to stop him by twisting and bending the metal license plates on his car with her bare hands. Apparently…