Hoke v. State

George Rose Smith, Justice.

At a trial on May 4, 1979, a jury found Hoke guilty of manslaughter. According to the court reporter’s transcript of the proceedings, the foreman of the jury, in announcing the verdict of guilty, stated that the punishment was fixed at imprisonment in the Department of Correction for five years and a fine of $5,000. The court orally sentenced the defendant in the same language, mentioned his right of appeal, and permitted him to remain on the same bond. Notice of appeal was filed on May 31.

The written judgment was signed, nunc pro tunc, on August 24, 1979, and…