People v. Goodard

Convicted after a jury trial of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, defendant appeals as of right.

On September 25, 1973, Earl DeMarse was fatally stabbed while on guard duty at the Marquette State Prison. Inmate Gary DeWar testified that the day before the killing, defendant told him he was going to kill the guard the next morning. Defendant allegedly said he would wear coveralls to keep the blood off his clothes. He also showed DeWar a black-handled knife, 10 to 12 inches long.

On the morning the homicide occurred, defendant was seen wearing coveralls. Inmate Richard…