Lester v. State

Banke, Judge.

The appellant appeals the denial of his motion for new trial following his conviction for first degree arson.

1. On February 17, 1976, a home owned by the appellant, but in the exclusive possession of his wife under a divorce decree dated October 1, 1975, burned to the ground. The wife testified that the appellant had previously threatened to burn the house down if he were forced to move out. In December 1975, the appellant purchased his first fire insurance policy on the dwelling, in an amount two and a half times the property’s appraised value. In January of 1976, the appellant…