Cates v. State

Jordan, Justice.

On January 7, 1978, Warren Nichols was strangled to death. Ten days later his body was discovered, partially frozen with the ligature still applied to his neck. Following an investigation, two suspects were arrested and tried separately. Robert Bellinger was tried first and convicted of murder, robbery and concealing a death. Terry Cates, the appellant in this appeal, was next tried for murder, robbery and concealing a death and was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder plus twelve months for concealing Nichols’ death.

Upon his arrest, Bellinger gave a statement to the…