State v. Ball

DOWD, Judge.

A jury found appellant guilty of murder in the first degree in connection with the death of Percy Thomas. The jury assessed punishment at life imprisonment. He appeals.

While appellant does not deny shooting Percy Thomas on April 7, 1972, he disputes the circumstances surrounding the shooting as attested by the state’s witnesses. Essie Bates testified that appellant told her that he was going to kill his estranged wife and Percy Thomas the day before the shooting and that appellant had purchased a .38 pistol with money he obtained from his girlfriend. Testimony by James Dismute and…