Aven v. State

Appellant, Lucius E. Aven, was indicted by a grand jury of Tunica County for the crime of murder. Upon the trial of the case, the circuit judge granted defendant an instruction apprising the jury that the evidence was insufficient to sustain a charge of murder. However, a manslaughter instruction was given to the jury by the court at the request of the State, defining the crime of “manslaughter.” The jury returned a verdict finding-defendant guilty of manslaughter; whereupon, the trial judge sentenced defendant to serve a term of two years in the Mississippi State Penitentiary. Defendant has…