State v. Thornton
Supreme Court of Tennessee
730 S.W.2d 309 (1987)
Relevant factsFree
James Thornton (defendant), separated from his wife Lavinia but still trying to reconcile, arrived at their shared home, saw an unfamiliar car, and witnessed Lavinia with another man, McConkey; after briefly leaving for his camera, James returned, overheard the couple having sex through the window, and burst in to find them naked in bed. He drew a gun, and after what he perceived as a threatening move by McConkey, fired a shot that ultimately killed him. A jury convicted James of first-degree murder, and he appealed.
IssueFree
Whether a first-degree murder conviction is justified where a husband observes his wife engaging in sexual relations with a paramour and kills the paramour shortly afterward.