State v. Thompson

Arthur Thompson (defendant) climbed through a window and entered a church, where he found a cigar box containing $550 in cash. Thompson attempted to flee with the cash in hand until he encountered Father William O’Brien. The Father confronted Thompson, and a struggle ensued. Thompson threw O’Brien against the wall and beat him with his fist. O’Brien fell to the floor, and Thompson struck him twice more with his fists before fleeing through the back door. O’Brien bled to death as a result of severe lacerations to his face. Thompson was subsequently stopped and arrested for traffic violations, and, once authorities learned of O’Brien’s murder, became an immediate suspect. Thompson confessed to the murder. At trial, the main contention between the state and the defense was whether or not O’Brien’s injuries were inflicted with Thompson’s fists or with an iron rod that had been seized from Thompson’s truck. Thompson testified that he did not enter the church with the iron rod or use it against O’Brien and further testified that he did not intend to kill O’Brien. Instead, Thompson explained that he threw O’Brien against the wall and struck him in order to free himself from O’Brien’s grasp and escape. In his confession, Thompson stated that O’Brien was still breathing when he fled. Thompson was convicted of first-degree murder and appealed on grounds that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction.