State v. Chrismore

The indictment charges that the offense of manslaughter was committed in the city of Knoxville by the operation on the part of the defendant, while in an intoxicated condition, of his automobile, in a grossly negligent and reckless manner and at an unlawful and dangerous rate of speed; that while so driving he struck one Sparks, inflicting injuries from which Sparks died.

At the close of the state’s case defendant moved for a directed verdict on grounds that there was no competent testimony to sustain the allegations in the indictment, that the state failed to make a prima-facie case, and that…