People v. Thompson

Appeal from judgment rendered after non-jury trial and from order denying motion for new trial.

Appellant was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, an included offense under a charge of murder. Appellant argues that there could be no voluntary manslaughter because (1) there is no evidence of “sudden quarrel or heat of passion” (Pen. Code, § 192, subd. 1) ; (2) the evidence is insufficient to warrant any finding of guilt; and (3) the court erred prejudicially in excluding evidence tending to show suicide or commission of the crime (if one there was) by some person other than defendant, e.g., one…