Craft v. State

Buddy Lee Craft was indicted for first degree murder in that he "did intentionally cause the death of another person, to-wit: John David Robinson, by shooting him with a shotgun," in violation of § 13A-6-2, Code of Alabama 1975. After a jury's verdict of "guilty as charged" the trial court sentenced appellant to thirty-five years' imprisonment. Appellant's motion for a new trial was denied and this appeal followed.

On May 12, 1980, John David Robinson was shot several times and killed with "buckshot" from either a .12 gauge or a .16 gauge shotgun. The state presented five eye witnesses who…