People v. Coleman

Opinion

KAUFMAN, J.

Defendant Calvin Coleman, Jr., was sentenced to death, after a jury trial under the 1978 death penalty law,1 for murdering Patricia Neidig on May 13, 1980, under three special circumstances, i.e., that he committed the murder (1) for the purpose of avoiding or preventing lawful arrest (§ 190.2, subd. (a)(5)), (2) in the commission of a robbery (§ 190.2, subd. (a)(17)(i)), and (3) in the commission of a burglary (§ 190.2, subd. (a)(17)(vii)). He also was found to have used a shotgun in committing the murder. (§§ 12022, subd. (a), 12022.5.) This appeal is automatic. (§ 1239,…