People v. Aparicio

The defendant was charged with the murder of Santana Acosta on April 16, 1951. Since he claimed to be unable to understand English an interpreter was appointed. The defendant pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. He refused to engage an attorney or to have one appointed by the court to represent him. The court directed the public defender to assist him as amicus curiae. He was found guilty of first degree murder without recommendation but the jury was unable to agree as to whether he was sane at the time the crime was committed. A second jury, in proceedings presided over…