Gray v. State

This is an appeal from a conviction of voluntary manslaughter with a maximum sentence of seven years in the State penitentiary. The appellant, being the defendant in the trial court, will be thus referred to in this opinion.

The homicide, of which the defendant stands convicted, occurred at his home on the night of December 19, 1950, about midnight. Early in the evening of that day the defendant attended a Christmas dinner that was being given by a secret order, of which he was a member, and while there he met the deceased, William Lee Yearwood, Thornton Taylor and Howard Phagan. He knew all…