Leach v. State

DICKSON, Justice.

In this direct appeal, the defendant, Walter M. Leach, challenges his conviction for the murder 1 of Howard VanZant. VanZant was shot in the head after leaving Duke’s Bar in Nappanee, Indiana, in the early morning of July 4, 1995. A jury found the defendant guilty of murder, and the trial court sentenced him to sixty-five years, enhanced by thirty years for his status as a habitual offender based on thirteen prior felony convictions.

On direct appeal, the defendant contends that: (1) he was denied due process of law; (2) the trial court committed reversible error by refusing…