Wooley v. People

Harold David Wooley and Mary Pearl Wooley, who is referred to as his common law wife, were jointly charged by direct information with the murder of William Scott Wright. Upon motion the trial court ordered separate trials, and we are here concerned with only the one defendant, Harold David Wooley, who will hereafter be referred to as Wooley.

When arraigned Wooley pleaded “not guilty” and “not guilty by reason of insanity at the time of the alleged commission of the crime.” Pursuant to applicable statute (C.R.S. ’53, 39-8-2) he was then transferred to the State Hospital for mental examination.…