State v. Jones

McHUGH, Justice:

This case is before this Court upon an appeal by the petitioner, Verlon G. Jones, from his conviction in the Circuit Court of Pocahontas County, West Virginia, of the felony offense of arson in the first degree. W. Va. Code, 61-3-1 [1935]. In addition, the petitioner appeals from his sentence by that court to confinement in the penitentiary for life. That sentence was imposed under this State’s habitual criminal statute, W.Va.Code, 61-11-18 [1943]. This Court has before it the petition, all matters of record and the briefs and argument of counsel.

I

On November 25, 1982, a fire…