Simpson v. State

The defendant's indictment for malice murder for the strangulation death of his girlfriend did not require proof that the defendant used his hands to strangle the victim, but only proof that the defendant caused the victim's death by strangling her and causing blunt force trauma to her head.

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Appellant Monty Simpson was convicted of malice murder and sentenced to life in prison for the strangulation death of his girlfriend Beverly Jean Williams.1 For the reasons set forth below, we affirm.

On the evening of March 15, 2010, appellant called 911 reporting the victim was deceased in their hotel room at the Dollar Inn in Dougherty County. When police arrived, appellant told them he had found the victim unresponsive after returning from a walk on a trail behind the hotel. He then told the police he had gone to a store to purchase some beer, but did not actually buy any beer. While police were investigating, appellant twice tried to leave the scene despite being admonished to stay there and so police placed him in handcuffs and put him in a patrol car. DNA testing confirmed the victim’s blood was on appellant’s clothes. Appellant stated he gave the victim CPR, but there was no blood on his face or hands even though the victim had dried blood in her nostrils. Police observed fresh scratches on appellant’s chest and arm. Police found no evidence of a forced entry into the couple’s hotel room. On the day of the victim’s death, appellant’s neighbor testified he heard “pounding” which he described as sounding like someone throwing a bowling ball. A woman who worked in housekeeping and maintenance at the Dollar Inn testified she had heard the victim and appellant arguing earlier in the day, and she stated appellant later told her the victim was passed out drunk in their room.

Simpson v. State

The defendant's indictment for malice murder for the strangulation death of his girlfriend did not require proof that the defendant used his hands to strangle the victim, but only proof that the defendant caused the victim's death by strangling her and causing blunt force trauma to her head.

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