Rucker v. State

Thompson, Justice.

A jury convicted Danny Alton Rucker of felony murder with the underlying felony of armed robbery in the stabbing death of Lou Ellen Rowland, and aggravated assault on Renee Maxwell. Although the State sought the death penalty, the jury returned a life sentence, and a sentence of life plus 20 years was imposed. Rucker appeals from the judgment of conviction and from the denial of his motion for new trial, asserting ineffective assistance of counsel at trial and at the motion for new trial.

1. Rucker contends the evidence is insufficient to support the verdict, in part because…