People v. Samuels

Defendant-appellant, twenty-seven years old, is under sentence of death, upon a conviction for murder in the first degree. He was indicted for killing one Friedel Frank by beating and strangling her on or about June 2, 1948, and upon the record before us it is manifest that he did so. His defense was predicated principally on the theory of insanity.

Shortly after midnight on June 2,1948, tenants at 3750 Broadway, New York City, heard a “ screech ” or “ scream ” in the areaway. One of the tenants saw a woman lying on the floor in the vestibule, and a man in a tan or light brown suit walking out…