Houston v. State, 583 S.W.2d 267 (1980), was a case decided by the Supreme Court of Tennessee that held that "repeated shots or blows" was sufficient circumstantial evidence to prove premeditation and deliberation for first degree murder.[1]

Houston v. State
CourtSupreme Court of Tennessee
Full case name Richard Houston, Appellant, v. State of Tennessee, Appellee.
DecidedJanuary 7, 1980 (1980-01-07)
Citation583 S.W.2d 267
Case history
Appealed fromKnox County Criminal Court
Court membership
Judges sittingWilliam J. Harbison, William Fones, John C. Cooper, Joe W. Henry, John K. Byers[a]
Case opinions
MajorityCooper, joined by Fones, Harbison, Byers
DissentHenry
Keywords

Subsequent history

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Houston was overruled by the case State v. Brown, which required more evidence than repeated blows to show deliberation.[2]

Notes

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  1. ^ Special Justice

References

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  1. ^ Bonnie, R.J. et al. Criminal Law, Second Edition. Foundation Press, New York, NY: 2004, p. 782
  2. ^ Bonnie, 783
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Text of Houston v. State (1980) is available from: Google Scholar Justia