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THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

In The Supreme Court

The State, Respondent,

v.

Natalio A. Perez, Appellant.

Appeal From Greenwood County

C. Victor Pyle, Jr., Circuit Court Judge

Opinion No. 24921

Heard February 17, 1999 - Filed March 22, 1999

AFFIRMED

Chief Attorney Daniel T. Stacey, of Office of

Appellate Defense, of Columbia, for appellant.

Attorney General Charles M. Condon, Chief Deputy

Attorney General John W. McIntosh, Assistant

Deputy Attorney General Donald J. Zelenka, and

Assistant Attorney General Derrick K. McFarland,

all of Columbia; and Solicitor W. Townes Jones IV, of

Greenwood, for respondent.

MOORE, A.J.: Appellant was convicted of murder and

sentenced to life. We affirm.

p.1

FACTS

Four days after their marriage, appellant murdered his wife,

Brenda Connelly. Brenda's 11-year-old son testified he saw appellant stab

his mother. Brenda was stabbed five times and the wounds were so severe

that she was almost decapitated. Appellant contended at trial that Brenda

had threatened to kill herself and he was merely attempting to get a knife

away from her when she fell on it.