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People v. Lines

California Supreme Court
531 P.2d 793 (1975)

Written by Sean Carroll, JD

Facts

Richard Lee Lines (defendant) was charged with murder. On Lines’s motion, the trial court appointed Dr. Markman to evaluate Lines’s mental condition. The purpose of this examination was to assist Lines’s attorney in presenting his defense. Ultimately, Lines asserted an insanity defense. At this point, the trial court appointed other doctors, Dr. Bielinski and Dr. Tweed, to examine Lines. The court also reappointed Markman for that purpose. The prosecution (plaintiff) called Markman to testify at trial. Lines objected to Markman’s testimony based on the attorney-client privilege on the ground that Markman was originally an agent of Lines’s attorney. The trial court admitted the testimony, which was similar to that of Tweed, and convicted Lines. Lines appealed.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Sullivan, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
A summary of the majority or plurality opinion, using the CREAC method; and
The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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