Perkins v. Commonwealth

STANLEY, Commissioner.

The appellant, L. C. Perkins, was jointly indicted with William Worthington and Wilson Williams for the murder of Robert Thomas. On a separate trial Perkins was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. His codefendants testified for the Commonwealth.

The three men and others had been engaged in a gambling game called “skin,” which, it is said in appellant’s brief, is played with cards and is known only to the colored race. About 3 o’clock in the morning the game broke up in a row when Thomas was accused of cheating. Perkins and…