Allen v. State

Oscar Allen and Willie Allen, father and son, were tried jointly in the circuit court of Kemper county for the killing of Elmer Gravette. The killing was actually done by Willie Allen who claimed self-defense, but the state’s theory was that Oscar Allen, the father, and Willie Allen, the son, had entered into a conspiracy, prior to the killing, which resulted in the killing, and that Oscar Allen was present at the killing encouraging, aiding, and abetting his son.

The record is voluminous and the testimony of numerous witnesses is conflicting in many respects, and it is impossible to make an…