People v. Merkouris

Defendant was found guilty on two counts of first degree murder, and the jury fixed the penalty as death. His appeal is automatic, pursuant to section 1239, subdivision (b), of the Penal Code.1

On November 15, 1954, two informations were filed against defendant by the district attorney of Los Angeles County, charging him with having murdered Despine Forbes and Robert P. Forbes on or about September 20, 1954. Defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge of having murdered Despine Forbes, and his counsel entered an additional plea, with respect to such charge, of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Af…