State v. Talbert

BOHLING, C.

William Edward Talbert was found guilty of the murder, in the first degree, of Martin Twillmann. The jury were unable to agree on the punishment and the court assessed the death penalty.

We briefly state the essential facts. Appellant and three other negro boys — Leo Lyles, Arthur L. Butler, and Willie Clayton had trouble with an automobile they had stolen and, proceeding on foot, approached Marvin Twillmann, who was a cousin of deceased and was watering his (Marvin’s) stock at the time, and ordered Marvin, at the point of revolvers, into his truck. Lyles drove the truck down a…