Patrick v. State

Bowles, Justice.

James Richard Patrick was indicted by the grand jury of Muscogee County for the January 10,1977 murder of Gertruda "Truly” Johnson. Following a jury trial, Patrick was found guilty. Upon the jury’s finding of the statutory aggravating circumstances of kidnapping and aggravated battery to the victim, Patrick was sentenced to death. The case is here on direct appeal and for review of the death sentence.

There was evidence presented from which the jury was authorized to find the following facts: On the afternoon of January 10,1977, Truly Johnson, a 15-year-old high school student,…