People v. Mason

A jury found defendant guilty of the first degree murder of Suzan Jamerson and fixed the penalty at death. It also found him guilty of an assault with a deadly weapon with intent to murder Rona Porrazzo, Suzan’s daughter. (Pen. Code, § 217.) The trial court denied defendant’s motion for a new trial and entered judgment on the verdicts. This appeal is automatic. (Pen. Code, § 1239, subd. (b).)

Defendant met Rona and her husband several years before the homicide and was a frequent visitor at their home. On a Sunday afternoon in the summer of 1957, Rona came home after visiting her mother and…