People v. Smith

THE COURT.

After trial was had on an indictment which was returned by the grand jury of Stanislaus County, defendant was convicted of the crime of murder of the first degree. He had entered a double plea of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity, but later withdrew the latter plea. As the verdict which was returned by the jury was without recommendation, the court pronounced judgment of death against defendant. An automatic appeal from such judgment is now before this court.

The victim of defendant’s crime was his wife, Grace Smith, who was thirty-two years of age. The crime was…