People v. Nichols

Opinion

WRIGHT, C. J.

Richard Randolph Nichols was charged by indictment with two counts of murder (Pen. Code, § 187), one count of burglary (Pen. Code, § 459), and one count of arson of a dwelling house (Pen. Code, § 447a). There being no evidence of premeditation, the People sought to establish that the offense was murder in the first degree on the theory that the deaths occurred during the perpetration of arson (Pen. Code, § 189). A jury found defendant guilty of murder in the first degree on both counts, and not guilty of burglary and arson. Sentenced to concurrent terms of life…