People v. Morse

This ease involves an automatic appeal under Penal Code section 1239, subdivision (b), following verdicts finding defendant guilty of two counts of murder in the first degree and imposing the death penalty.

The three separate counts of the indictment charged defendant with the murder of his mother and sister and with assault upon the person of one Ellen Young. To these counts defendant entered a plea of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. Finding defendant both guilty and sane, the jury imposed the death penalty for each of the murders. The trial court thereafter denied…