People v. Best

LEMMON, J., pro tem.

An indictment was returned against the defendant charging him with the murder of one Ernest B. Hanks. From a judgment of conviction of manslaughter and from an order denying his motion for a new trial this appeal was taken.

Hanks and the defendant had been friends and neighbors for some period of time. In April of 1935, the two men entered into a contract to cut hay upon what is known as the “old Crawford Baneh” near Willows, in Glenn County. The defendant, Best, did not but Hanks did have a team of horses, and therefore Hanks suggested that they borrow a team from a Mr.…