People v. Coleman

This is an automatic appeal from a judgment of conviction of first degree murder imposing the death penalty on the defendant. (See § 1239 Penal Code).

The defendant killed his wife, Myrtle May Coleman, in San Diego county, on June 5, 1941, by shooting her with a .38 caliber revolver. He was immediately taken into custody and was charged with the commission of the offense. On his arraignment he pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. In conformity with the provisions of section 1026 of the Penal Code he was tried first on his plea of not guilty. The jury brought in a verdict of…