State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. v. Superior Court of Orange County

[191 CalApp3d Page 75] Real Party Victor Lawrence Pahl allegedly shot his wife and her attorney when they tried to inventory his pawnshop in connection [191 CalApp3d Page 76] with a marriage dissolution proceeding. State Farm insured Pahl under a homeowner's policy. His wife and her attorney each brought civil actions against Pahl for damages resulting from the shootings, and State Farm undertook Pahl's defense in each of those actions. Pahl is also being prosecuted for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. In the underlying declaratory relief action, Pahl sought a judicial declaration that State Farm is obligated under his homeowner's policy to undertake his defense in the criminal action.