Smith v. Commonwealth

CAMMACK, Chief Justice.

Will Smith was sentenced to 21 years in prison for killing Ed Hall in a card game. On this appeal he is urging that the trial court erred in requiring him to testify that he had been convicted of another shooting offense and in failing to admonish the jury as to the purpose for which this testimony was admitted. He complains also of the instructions.

Over objection Smith was required to answer that he had been convicted previously of a felony and that it was for shooting a man. Smith’s attorney then moved to set aside the swearing of the jury and continue the case. This…