People v. Morse

A jury found defendant guilty of first degree murder (Pen. Code, §§187, 189)1 and fixed the penalty at death (§190). The trial judge denied defendant’s motions for a new trial and for reduction of penalty. This appeal is automatic. (§ 1239, subd. (b).)

On August 6, 1964, a jury determined that defendant, who in 1962 had been found guilty of murdering his mother and sister, should suffer life imprisonment. On August 14, 1964, while defendant was confined in the San Diego County jail awaiting formal sentencing for these crimes, he garrotted Thomas Larry Taddei, another prisoner, with part of a…