People v. Thomas

In a jury trial in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County the defendant, Jesse James Thomas, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of not less than two nor more than seven years. In this appeal he contends that he was not proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, that the prosecutor’s final argument was prejudicial and deprived him of a fair trial, and that his sentence was excessive.

The incident occurred in Kid Green’s Tavern in Mounds City about 1:20 A.M. on January 9, 1971. Defendant admits that he fired one shot from a .22 caliber pistol…