People v. Bernard

A jury found defendant Charlie Bernard guilty of the first degree murder of John D. Abbott, without recommendation as to penalty (which verdict resulted in imposition of the death sentence), and of assault upon Grace Abbott with a deadly weapon with intent to commit murder. Defendant Bernard appeals from the judgments entered upon the jury verdicts and from an order denying his motion for new trial. At the trial no evidence was offered on behalf of Bernard or his codefendant, Moses Hawthorne. Hawthorne, who has not appealed, was found guilty of first degree murder with recommendation of life…