Shepherd v. State

GIVAN, Justice.

A jury trial resulted in a finding of guilty of Murder but mentally ill. Appellant was sentenced to a period of fifty (50) years.

The facts are: On February 17, 1987, co-workers of Serena Sholty became concerned because she had not shown up for work. John Sholty, Serena’s son, found her body in the basement of her home.

The fifteen-year-old appellant lived with his mother and her boyfriend, William Sholty, also a son of the victim. In their investigation of the homicide, police questioned appellant while his mother was present. During the interview, Sergeant Whippo noticed that…