People v. Berling

The appellant was charged with the murder of Kay Prances Erickson, a 10-year-old girl, who died at Long Beach on October 12, 1950. Appellant was an accordion teacher; the deceased child was studying under appellant’s tutelage, and at the time in question was staying at appellant’s studio. The trial commenced January 3, 1951, and ended on April 20, 1951. After eight days’ deliberation a jury returned a verdict of murder in the first degree with recommendation of life imprisonment. A motion for new trial was argued and denied.

It appears from the record that Kay Prances was born on April 22,…