People v. Deere

Opinion

MOSK, J.

Defendant Ronald Lee Deere appeals from a judgment imposing the death penalty following his conviction of one count of first degree murder and two counts of second degree murder, accompanied by a finding of a multiple-murder special circumstance (Pen. Code, § 190.2, subd. (a)(3)).1 We conclude that the convictions and special circumstance finding should be affirmed, but the judgment must be reversed as to penalty.

*357Defendant initially pleaded not guilty but later moved to withdraw his plea. The trial court appointed a psychiatrist to examine him; following such an examination and…