Amerson

Appellant, Ronald Houston Amerson (Amerson) appeals the judgment of the court following his adjudication of guilt of one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Procedure and Background

In 1979 Amerson began cohabiting with Brenda Barlow. One child resulted from this relationship.

On September 26, 1982, a day or two following the termination of this relationship, Amersdn forcibly entered the Barlow home, where Brenda was temporarily residing, and stabbed her parents and aunt with a pair of scissors, killing the mother and injuring the father and aunt.

Amerson pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him and denied the use of the deadly weapon. A jury was waived and he was found guilty (murder in the first degree and attempted murder in the first degree) as charged. At the time of sentencing, the court reduced the charges to murder in the second degree and attempted murder in the second degree. Amerson was then sentenced to state prison for sixteen years (fifteen years plus one year enhancement for the use allegation) as to count I, murder, and eight years (midterm seven years plus one year enhancement for the use allegation) each as to counts II and…