People v. Butler

421 P.2d 703 (1967)

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People v. Butler

California Supreme Court
421 P.2d 703 (1967)

EC

Facts

Butler (defendant) was charged with the murder of Joseph Anderson and assault with attempt to murder William Russell Locklear. At trial, Butler testified that Anderson had owed him money and that Anderson kept putting off repayment. Butler testified he went to Anderson’s house to only threaten Anderson to repay him and that the gun went off when Anderson grabbed for it. Butler was convicted of first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to death. Butler had an automatic right to appeal the conviction to the Supreme Court of California.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Traynor, C.J.)

Dissent (Mosk, J.)

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