X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Appellant David Sanders was convicted of malice murder, felony murder, and possession of a knife during the commission of a crime in connection with the homicide of his wife, Sheila Newton, who died as a result of multiple stab wounds.1 Sanders contends on appeal he was denied his right to effective assistance of counsel and asserts the evidence was not sufficient to authorize a conviction of cruelty to a child in the first degree. 1. The State presented evidence that appellant and the victim became involved in a heated verbal argument in their home. The victim’s teen-aged daughter was awakened by her mother running into her room and screaming to her to call the police. The daughter saw her mother fall and lay on the floor on her back, and saw appellant straddle the victim, bend over her, and make punching motions at her. A police officer who responded to the emergency call for assistance found the deceased victim on the floor of the daughter’s bedroom, and blood in several rooms of the apartment. A bloody serrated knife was found in the master bedroom. Appellant had lacerations on his arms, legs, and hands that required sutures. A forensic investigator testified appellant’s hand wound could have been an offensive or a defensive wound, and the victim’s palm wounds were more commonly seen as defensive wounds. The forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy on the victim testified she died as a result of stab wounds that punctured her liver and one of her lungs.

Appellant testified the victim lunged at him with a butcher knife and the two “tussled” for possession of the knife. He stated the victim lost consciousness and fell to the floor, whereupon appellant gained possession of the knife and stabbed the victim in the stomach. Appellant testified he had used a butcher knife, not the bloody serrated knife found in the apartment, and asserted that someone else had inflicted the stab wound that had punctured the victim’s lung. Also admitted was evidence of a prior difficulty between appellant and the victim in Colorado in November 2001, which resulted in appellant’s arrest for threats of violence against the victim.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
May 01, 2025
Atlanta, GA

The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.


Learn More
December 11, 2024
Las Vegas, NV

This event shines a spotlight on how individuals and firms are changing the investment advisory industry where it matters most.


Learn More
February 24, 2025 - February 26, 2025
Las Vegas, NV

This conference aims to help insurers and litigators better manage complex claims and litigation.


Learn More

COLE SCHOTZ P.C.LITIGATION PARALEGAL - FLORIDA OFFICE: Prominent mid-Atlantic law firm with multiple regional office locations seeks a L...


Apply Now ›

McCarter and English s Chambers-ranked Government Contracts group is seeking an experienced, diligent, and proactive government contracts as...


Apply Now ›

Experienced Insurance Defense Attorney.No in office requirement.Send resume to:


Apply Now ›