Townsend v. Commonwealth

VANCE, Commissioner.

The appellant was convicted of the offense of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to confinement for a term of twenty-one years. The sole question presented on this appeal is whether the evidence conclusively established that the shooting was done in self-defense. The appellant contends that he was entitled to a directed verdict and that the evidence did not support the verdict but both contentions are grounded in the claim that the evidence conclusively established that the shooting was done in self-defense.

A brief review of the evidence is necessary. On the day of the…