State v. Brewer

Briscoe, J.:

This is a direct appeal by the defendant, Terry Brewer, from his conviction by a jury of two counts of arson and one count of theft by deception, K.S.A. 21-3718 and 21-3701(b). Defendant was charged with setting a fire to a house in Osawatomie, Kansas, which defendant and his family were renting. Defendant subsequently submitted a claim to State Farm Fire and Casualty Company and recovered payment from State Farm for the loss of the contents of the house.

Defendant’s first issue involves the State’s questioning of defendant’s wife at an inquisition. Specifically, defendant contends…