People v. Matthai

Appellant, upon an information for murder, was convicted of manslaughter, and appeals from the judgment and from the order denying him a new trial.

The homicide was admitted. It was contended that the killing was done in self-defense. For some years prior to the tragedy defendant and his family, under a claim of ownership, had been in the possession of certain mountain lands in Napa County. About a quarter of a mile from their home was a magnesite mine. They had been disturbed and harassed in their possession from time to time by locators, who entered upon the mine, contending that it was not…