State v. Williams

OPINION

RABINOWITZ, Chief Justice.

I. FACTS.

On the evening of March 10, 1980, Thomas Andrus’ partially burned body was discovered in his pickup truck, on a frontage road near Peter’s Creek. Respondent, Travis Dean Williams, was arrested for An-drus’ murder. Williams was subsequently indicted for first-degree murder. At the time Williams was indicted for first-degree murder, the State possessed overwhelming evidence that Williams had tampered with the body. However, the State did not seek an indictment for the crime of tampering with evidence.

Williams was thereafter tried for An-drus’ murder.…