State v. Williams

Lila Williams was convicted of murder in the second degree. The information charged that the homicide was committed “willfully, unlawfully and feloniously with a design to effect the death of [the victim]” and “while engaged in the commission of a felony, to-wit: Assault in the Second Degree, . . .” upon the victim.

At trial Miss Williams admitted the homicide. Her defense was that the homicide was justifiable as an act of self-defense. She testified that she was a prostitute; that she and another prostitute had solicited the victim to par ticipate in a “party;” that a disagreement as to their…