Roark v. Commonwealth

MOREMEN, Judge.

Appellant, Dennie Roark, killed Willard Back and, as a result, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to confinement in the penitentiary for a period of five- years.

Appellant relies on these grounds for reversal: (1) The verdict was not supported by the evidence, and (2) the jury, upon retiring to reach a verdict, but before entering the jury room, mingled with the crowd in the court room and thereafter a deputy sheriff entered the jury room with them and remained there behind closed doors for a short period.

The killing was the result of a sudden engagement…