People v. Navarro

The defendant, Mary Navarro, appeals from a judgment of conviction of second degree murder and the order denying her motion for new trial. The charge was based upon the death of one Sarah Castrillo as the result of an abortion allegedly performed by defendant. The court denied probation and committed defendant to the California Institution for Women.

Three points are raised on appeal: (1) Sufficiency of the evidence to support the verdict, including error by the trial court in denying the motion for a new trial; (2) incorrect instructions on circumstantial evidence; and (3) improper procedure…