State v. Hahn

HARRIS, Justice.

This appeal is from a second-degree murder conviction. Bernice Hahn (defendant) was convicted for the shooting death of her husband at the couple’s home January 10, 1975. Because of private communications between the trial judge and a juror we reverse and remand the case for a new trial.

It is not disputed defendant’s husband, Donald Hahn, died as the result of a gunshot blast fired by defendant. Neither is it disputed that defendant had been severely beaten by her husband just prior to the shooting. The record clearly reveals during the couple’s 30 year marriage defendant was…