Madden v. State

The conviction is for murder without malice; the punishment, 5 years.

The proof shows that the appellant was the deceased’s wife. They owned a home near the city of Hempstead in Waller County but were separated and living apart at the time of the killing. On the day of the homicide, appellant hired the state’s witness, Steve Washington, to carry her from Houston to Hempstead for the purpose of attempting a reconciliation with her husband. When they arrived, appellant first went into the house and Washington remained in the automobile. Later, Washington went into the house. Washington testified…