Royce Calkins v. State of Arkansas

Summary

The court affirmed Calkins’s convictions for two counts of first-degree murder and his consecutive life sentences with firearm enhancements. It held that substantial evidence supported the jury’s finding that Calkins acted purposefully, including the multiple gunshot wounds and his efforts to conceal the killings. It also held that the circuit court did not abuse its discretion by refusing justification and kidnapping instructions because the evidence provided no rational basis for either defense.