Affirming.
Ida Wireman appeals from a conviction for the killing of her sister-in-law, Laura Wireman. She was sentenced to seven years and one day in the state penitentiary.
The only complaint presented on this appeal that properly arises on the record is that the court erred in failing to instruct the jury to the effect that, if the appellant, on the occasion when the offense was committed, acted under the coercion of her husband, she was entitled to an acquittal. Her husband was present when Laura Wireman was killed, and was jointly indicted, tried, and convicted with his wife and given the same sentence.
There is no presumption that a married woman, who commits a crime conjointly with, or in the presence of, her husband, acts under his coercion. The learning upon this subject is contained in the opinion of the court in King v. City of Owensboro,
The evidence for the commonwealth indicated a clear case of willful murder, while that for the defendant tended to show that the shooting was done in self-defense. The court, therefore, properly instructed the jury as to the law of willful murder, voluntary manslaughter, and justifiable homicide. His instructions also submitted to the jury clearly and succinctly the law of self-defense. The instructions given are not complained of in any respect. They manifested the great care observed by the trial court to protect the rights of the commonwealth and the accused. No error appears in the record, and the evidence fully sustains the verdict of the jury.
The matters pressed upon us in brief for appellant, not shown by the record, if possessing any merit, must be addressed to another branch of the government where they properly can be considered.
Judgment affirmed.
