Beasley v. State

The offence charged in this prosecution is thus stated in the indictment: “ That before the finding of this indictment, Henry Beasley, unlawfully, and with malice aforethought, killed Joseph Todd, by shooting him with a pistol; against the peace and dignity of the State of Alabama.” To this, the accused pleaded “ not guilty,” and went to trial on this plea by a jury. The verdict of the jury was against him, and he was convicted of murder in the second degree, and sentenced to imprisonment in the penitentiary for eleven years. From this judgment of conviction the accused appeals to this court.…