Opinion ID: 1739873
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Testimony of Kimmons

Text: The only defense proof was the testimony of Kimmons. Most of it, of course, was directed at his own insistence of self-defense. We examine it only to the extent necessary to determine whether it is sufficient to make out a case against petitioner, whose conviction must rest solely upon the testimony of Kimmons, together with any corroboration thereof. [3] His version of the facts preceding the actual shooting is not essentially different from that expressed by the State's witnesses. He says that about the time Farmer hit him and knocked him back against the tree, petitioner drove up. The fight continued and somebody, you know, give me a pistol. Subsequently, the following question was asked and answer given: Q. Bobby, do you know who gave you that gun out there that night? A. From what  James Mathis was the only person behind me at the time. I don't know if he give me the pistol. When I came back to Memphis, I asked Mr. Williams, I said, Man, did you give me the pistol. He said, no, I didn't give you the pistol. He said, didn't nobody get out of the car, but James Mathis you know. And, earlier before when we was fighting, when Mr. Shine was rushing me, I had turned and looked. I heard Mr. Mathis say, come on man, you know, like this here, you know. But, he had to be the only person behind me to give me the pistol. (Emphasis supplied). On cross-examination the following testimony is pertinent: Q. Mr. Kimmons, let me ask you this, sir. Did you see who actually gave you the pistol? A. No, sir. Q. So, you don't know who gave you the pistol; is that correct? A. No, sir, not really. Variations of this testimony appear in the record; however, Kimmons consistently stated that someone handed him the pistol from behind him and that only petitioner was in this position. There is no corroborative testimony in the record. To the contrary, the clear preponderance of the proof is contrary to the Kimmons version. In fact, all witnesses clearly refute the Kimmons version. It is of importance to note that the pistol used by Kimmons in the slaying was never discovered, nor was there any effort made to trace its ownership to the petitioner.