Patrick v. State

227 A.2d 486 (1967)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

Patrick (D) lived with Woods and Goodwyn. Goodwyn was Woods' mistress, but she was also intimate with D on occasion. Woods and Goodwyn had an altercation wherein Woods hit Goodwyn. Goodwyn and D spent the next day together and then returned to Woods' apartment. Goodwyn expressed fear that Woods would harm her again. Upon entering the apartment, D verified that Woods was there and then indicated to Goodwyn that he was going to kill Woods. D got a brick and went to the bedroom and Goodwyn heard noise, and eventually, D returned to the living room with blood on his hands. Goodwyn went and saw the dead body. Goodwyn and D left the apartment. Woods' body was discovered by his employer who called the police. The employer had no idea whether Woods was dead or alive. The police had no search warrant when they entered the crime scene. At trial, D blamed the killing on Goodwyn. Evidence showed that D's shirt had Group A blood on it, Woods' blood type but not D's. D was found guilty. D appealed.