State v. Bittner

(on reassignment).

This is an appeal from a judgment of conviction for murder in the first degree and attempted murder in the first degree. We affirm.

The appellant, Steven Darrell Bittner, had for a period of some years lived together with his girl friend, Janice Palmer (Palmer), in a house in Huron, South Dakota. On March 30, 1982, at approximately 6:00 a.m., Bittner returned to the house after spending the night out. He awakened Palmer and requested the use of her car; Palmer refused and an argument broke out. Bittner hit Palmer in the face, causing a bloody nose. Palmer then left the house,…