Kinney v. State

Larry D. Kinney was convicted of felony murder while in the commission of armed robbery and aggravated assault in connection with the death of his cousin, Priscilla McKnight. Kinney appeals, contending that the evidence of his guilt of the underlying felonies was insufficient. Finding that the evidence was sufficient to support the conviction for felony murder, we affirm.1

Priscilla McKnight’s bloodied body was found by her brother at her home on the morning of December 1, 1997. She was clad in bedclothes and lying on her bed; the television was on. McKnight had sustained devastating multiple blunt force injuries to the head, which crushed her skull, as well as multiple stab wounds, predominantly in the back. The pattern of head injuries was consistent with infliction by a claw-type hammer and the stab wounds were likely caused by some type of knife. Investigators decided not to release specific information about the injuries sustained or the probable weapons used in hope of obtaining inculpating details from interviews with witnesses or suspects. In fact, the “word on the street” was that the victim was killed with a stick or ball bat.