Simpkins v. State

James R. Cooper, Judge.

The appellant was convicted in a jury trial of manslaughter for the stabbing death of Harold “Bimbo” Bush. He was sentenced to ten years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. On appeal, he argues that the trial court erred in prohibiting a witness for the defense from testifying about a specific instance of the victim’s prior violent conduct and that the trial court erred in allowing a statement made by the victim to be introduced into evidence as a dying declaration. We find merit in the appellant’s first argument and, therefore, reverse and remand.

A brief…