People v. Semone

The defendant was charged with the murder of Edward Cornwell. He was convicted of murder of the second degree. From the orders and from the judgment which was accordingly rendered he has appealed.

John Semone leased a vineyard near Modesto upon which he resided with his family. He maintained signs on the property prohibiting hunting and trespassing thereon. December 10, 1933, he overtook and quarreled with two men who were hunting in his vineyard with a dog. Upon ordering them off the premises, one of the men became angry and threatened to shoot him. He fell upon the ground and begged them not…