State v. Makal

STRUCKMEYER, Justice.

On the evening of May 24, 1964, in the City of Tucson, Arizona, James John Makal, defendant herein, strangled his wife and then in sequence his two minor children of the ages of nine and eight. Thereafter he unsuccessfully attempted suicide. Defendant was tried and convicted for the three homicides, the jury rejecting his defense of not guilty by reason of insanity. Judgment and sentence of death was duly imposed.

Defendant Makal after his arrest and prior to the trial was twice committed to the State Hospital following Rule 250 hearings, Rules of Criminal Procedure, 17…