Phillips v. State

The accused was tried for murder, convicted, and sentenced to life imprisonment. The homicide occurred at a gathering of negroes, and was committed without apparent motive, according to the evidence for the State, though there is some evidence of a previous quarrel. In the midst of the'dance several negroes began shooting, and the accused was seen to shoot at short range at the deceased, who ran out of the house, his clothing on fire from the discharge of the pistol. Before he died the next morning, he stated several times- that he was shot by the accused. The accused endeavored to set up an…