People v. Burts

This is a domestic violence case in which the defendant, Eddie Burts, beat the victim, Vickie Armstrong, and she died as a result of the beating. He was convicted after a bench trial of first degree murder and sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment. He contends first that the evidence was insufficient to support a finding of guilty of first degree murder and asks that we reduce Ms conviction, if affirmed, to second degree murder. He also maintains that trial error occurred that would entitle him to a new trial and that error occurred during his sentencing hearing.

In June 1989, the defendant was…