Anstine v. Hawkins

SPEAR, Justice.

The sole issue presented in this case is whether one who has been convicted of voluntary manslaughter can succeed to the estate of her victim. We conclude that since our statutes of descent and distribution do not provide for exclusion of such an heir, she is entitled to take.

Elmer T. Anstine married Doris L. Anstine on March 23, 1956. They lived together as husband and wife until the former’s death on January 14, 1965. On February 27, 1965 Doris Anstine was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of her husband, and served 18 months of a 5-year sentence.…