Butler v. Commonwealth

JONES, Justice.

On a jury trial, Paul Lee Butler was found guilty of the murder of John F. Smith. In conformity with the jury’s verdict, the trial court sentenced Butler to confinement in the state penitentiary for a term of 20 years. From that judgment Butler prosecutes this appeal.

The events that precipitated this homicide center around a dispute over a $7.00 debt allegedly owed by Butler to Smith. Smith and his nephew, Mallory, accosted Butler in a pool room. They discussed the debt. At Smith’s request, he, Butler and Mallory left the pool hall where the discussion led to physical assault.

At…