State v. Littlejohn

Defendant was convicted of murder in the second degree and his punishment assessed at ten years imprisonment in the penitentiary. Herein upon appeal defendant assigns errors of the trial court in refusing to direct a verdict of acquittal, and in failing to give an instruction on manslaughter. Errors are also assigned in refusing instructions proffered by defendant.

The homicide occurred near midnight, November 11-12, 1944, in a "gangway" or areaway off Kennerly Avenue in the City of St. Louis. Defendant shot deceased with a 22-caliber "Boston Bulldog" revolving pistol. The bullet passed…