State v. Hancock

Joseph C. Hancock appeals from a judgment imposing a sentence of life imprisonment for the murder of Irene Hancock, his wife, at Springfield, Missouri.

Defendant has filed no brief. His motion for new trial contains assignments of alleged error in sixteen paragraphs. We proceed with the briefing of these assignments on behalf of defendant and their determination.

The testimony covering defendant's criminal agency is wholly circumstantial. Its sufficiency is questioned.

The evidence stands uncontradicted that deceased died from strychnine poisoning. It also established that a $5000 life insurance…