State v. . Rice

The defendant was charged with a capital felony. When the case was called for trial the solicitor announced that he would not press the charge for capital felony but would ask for a verdict for murder in the second degree or manslaughter. The defendant pleaded not guilty and a jury was sworn and empaneled. The State began to offer testimony and introduced a witness named Delbert Shelton, who proceeded to testify as to tbe events resulting in tbe killing of McKinley Sbelton by tbe defendant. After tbe first witness for tbe State bad practically completed bis direct examination tbe trial judge,…