Phyle v. Duffy

William Jerome Phyle’s conviction of murder and sentence to death was reviewed and affirmed upon appeal. (People v. Phyle, 28 Cal.2d 671 [171 P.2d 428].) In December, 1946, two days prior to the time set for his execution, the warden of San Quentin Prison, as authorized by section 3701 of the Penal Code, stated to the District Attorney of Marin County that there was “good reason to believe” Phyle was insane. In a proceeding to determine that question, a jury adjudged Phyle to be insane, and he was committed to the state hospital. Less than one month later, the superintendent of the hospital…