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Martin v. State
Citations: 236 Ark. 409; 366 S.W.2d 281; 1963 Ark. LEXIS 636Docket: 5042
Court: Supreme Court of Arkansas; April 8, 1963; Arkansas; State Supreme Court
Minnie Lee Martin, the appellant, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to twenty-one years in prison for the fatal shooting of Eosie Lee Futrell. The incident occurred in Texarkana when the two women, who lived across from each other, met at a neighbor's home. Minnie Lee, 55, confronted Eosie, 26, accusing her of having an affair with her recently reconciled husband, Charlie Martin. After a brief argument, Minnie Lee shot Eosie three times with a loaded pistol. The primary issue for the jury was whether Minnie Lee acted in self-defense, a claim unsupported by evidence aside from her assertion that Eosie moved her hand toward her dress, causing her to fear for her safety. The jury found this defense unconvincing, especially given that Eosie was unarmed. Minnie Lee's testimony regarding why she carried a loaded pistol—fear of theft due to lack of a lock on her home—was considered inadequate, especially in light of her admission to the police that she shot Eosie. The court deemed her statements admissible as admissions, despite a motion to strike based on their voluntary nature, which was ultimately a question for the jury. The recovery of the pistol from her home, rather than the outdoor toilet where she claimed to have thrown it, did not prejudice her case since the shooting itself was undisputed. During jury deliberations, the court appropriately instructed them to reach a verdict if possible, and denied a request for additional argument from the defense, as the instruction did not introduce a new legal principle. The court found no reversible errors and affirmed the conviction. Justice Holt did not participate in the decision.