State v. Hawkins

Finney, Justice:

The appellant Calvin Hawkins, Calvin McCoy and Johnny Addison were indicted for murder, burglary and arson arising out of the death, theft of property and burning of the home of Ernest L. Gibson. The appellant was convicted of all charges and received sentences of death for murder, life imprisonment for burglary and twenty years for arson. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

On March 27,1985, after 7:00 P.M., ninety year old Ernest L. Gibson died from carbon monoxide poisoning during a fire at his home. The evidence revealed the victim suffered a broken neck prior to or…