People v. Chavez

Felix Chavez has been convicted of the murder of Constance (Connie) Navarro and sentenced to death. His appeal from the judgment and from the order denying a new trial presents only the question as to whether the homicide was a murder of the first degree.

The record shows testimony which may be summarized as follows:

Connie owned a bar and café in Colusa, known as the Michoacan, where she employed Gloria Uribe. Chavez, a Mexican citizen, came to Colusa from a neighboring ranch around 6 p.m. He called at the Michoacan to see Connie, whom he had known for some time. Not finding her, he then…