Langford v. State

354 So.2d 313 (1977)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

D was involved in an automobile collision which resulted in the death of sixteen-year-old Randall Holt. D's automobile struck a mileage marker on the right side of a four-lane highway swerved to the left and crossed the median. It collided with Holt's automobile, which was traveling in the opposite direction, and killed Holt instantly. The extent to which Langford had been drinking was in dispute. Several witnesses stated that alcohol could be smelled on his breath; and it was shown that his blood-alcohol level was 0.25 percent. Witnesses testified that they had seen D's car traveling in excess of 90 miles per hour immediately preceding the collision. D stated that he had consumed only 'two beers' and was not intoxicated. He stated that mechanical steering problems had caused his loss of control of the vehicle. D moved for a directed verdict, contending that even if the jury believed that he knew he was drunk but intentionally drove the car that crashed into Holt's vehicle, this was insufficient to convict for first-degree murder. The motion was denied. The jury found D guilty of murder in the first degree and he was sentenced to life imprisonment. The Court of Appeals affirmed. D appealed.