Knappenberger v. State

Frank Holt, Justice.

The appellant was charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of Wiley Johnson, Jr. A jury convicted him of manslaughter [Ark. Stat. Ann. § 41-1504 (Repl. 1977)] and fixed his punishment at ten years imprisonment. He was incarcerated and later released on bail pending this appeal. In a pretrial confession the appellant admitted shooting Johnson but contended that he had done so in self-defense and had only intended to injure Johnson sufficiently to stop Johnson’s alleged assault.

Appellant’s present counsel, who did not represent him at trial, acknowledges,…