People V. Lindley

When he was charged with having murdered a 13-year-old girl, William Marvin Lindley pleaded not guilty, but before the date set for trial it was brought to the attention of the court that a doubt had arisen concerning his sanity. Following a hearing upon that issue he was committed to the Mendocino State Hospital. Ten months later he was released to the sheriff and brought to trial upon the murder charge. The case is now before this court upon an automatic appeal from the judgment imposing the death penalty which was entered upon the verdict of the jury finding him guilty and the order denying a new trial.