State v. Massey

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Herd, J.:

This is a criminal action in which Fred Massey appeals from a jury conviction of the first-degree murder, K.S.A. 21-3401, of his wife, Karen. Massey was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The facts of this case, fully set forth in State v. Massey, 242 Kan. 252, 747 P.2d 802 (1987), are briefly summarized. Massey, a severe alcoholic, suffered seizures and loss of consciousness from alcohol abuse. On the day prior to Karen’s death, Massey drank beer from morning until night. Massey testified that at the time of Karen’s death, he and Karen were…