People v. Phillips

Opinion

GRODIN, J.

Following a lengthy jury trial, appellant was convicted of murdering one of her two adopted children (Pen. Code, § 187), and of willfully endangering the life or health of the other (Pen. Code, § 273a, subd. (1)), by deliberately administering a sodium compound into the food of each of them. As grounds for reversal she asserts juror misconduct, the erroneous admission of certain psychiatric testimony into evidence, and the trial court’s failure to instruct the jury sua sponte on diminished capacity. We find no reversible error and therefore affirm, for reasons which follow.

Sum…