State v. Hatfield

BARRETT, Commissioner.

George W. Hatfield, charged with murder in the first degree in killing Merle E. Rochester, waived a jury (Const.Mo. Art. 1, § 22(a), V.A.M.S.; RSMo 1969, § 510.-190, V.A.M.S.; Cr. Rule 26.01(b), V.A.M. R.) and was tried by the court. The court in its findings of fact and conclusions of law found Hatfield guilty of murder in the first degree and fixed his punishment at life imprisonment.

Attempting to draw an analogy from the microphonic and other eavesdropping devices (State v. Cory, 62 Wash.2d 371, 382 P.2d 1019, 5 A.L.R.3d 1352) the appellant’s preliminary point is that…