In Re Sassounian

Opinion

MOSK, J.

This proceeding arises out of a petition for writ of habeas corpus filed in this court by Harry M. Sassounian seeking to vacate a judgment of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County.

I

The judgment under challenge was rendered after jury trial in a capital prosecution that received widespread publicity, within California and without. The subject of the proceeding was the killing of Kemal Arikan, the Consul General of the Republic of Turkey at Los Angeles and a Turkish national, which took place in the Westwood area of that city.

At the guilt phase, there was no substantial…