State v. Belcher

Caplan, Chief Justice:

William Robert Belcher was charged with murder in an indictment returned by a grand jury serving the Circuit Court of McDowell County. Upon trial by a jury he was found guilty of murder of the second degree and a judgment of conviction was entered by the court. This appeal followed.

The defendant, William Robert Belcher and his wife, Barbara, were divorced in May, 1973. The custody of the three children born of the marriage was awarded to Barbara who, shortly thereafter, married David Bayles. During a visit, which was reluctantly permitted, the defendant and his wife’s…