State v. Tiller

Miller, Justice:

James Winston Tiller appeals from an order of the Circuit Court of Mingo County entered on July 30, 1980, sentencing him to confinement in the State Penitentiary for a period of not less than five or more than eighteen years. This order followed a jury verdict of guilty of murder in the second degree.

Defendant’s sole allegation is that the trial court committed reversible error when it denied his motion for a new trial based on his absence during various stages of his trial. Among others, these absences include a pretrial hearing, certain conferences at the bench, and a…