People v. Adamson

165 P.2d 3 (Cal. 1946)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

The body of Stella Blauvelt, a widow 64 years of age, was found on the floor of her Los Angeles apartment. The evidence indicated that she died on the afternoon of the preceding day. The body was found with the face upward covered with two bloodstained pillows. A lamp cord was wrapped tightly around the neck three times and tied in a knot. The medical testimony was that death was caused by strangulation. Bruises on the face and hands indicated that the deceased had been severely beaten before her death. The strongest circumstance tending to so identify D was the finding of six fingerprints, each identified by expert testimony as that of D, spread over the surface of the inner door to the garbage compartment of the kitchen of the deceased's apartment. The theory of the prosecution was that the murderer gained his entrance through the garbage compartment, found the inner door thereof latched from the kitchen side, and forced the door from its hinges. The tops of three women's stockings identified as having been taken from D's room were admitted in evidence. One of the stocking tops was found on a dresser, the other two in a drawer of the dresser among other articles of apparel. The stocking parts were not all of the same color. At the end of each part, away from what was formerly the top of the stocking, a knot or knots were tied. Stella's body did not have any shoes or stockings. There was evidence that on the day of the murder Stella had been wearing stockings. The lower part of a silk stocking with the top part torn off was found lying on the floor under the body. No part of the other stocking was found. None of the stocking tops from D's room matched with the bottom part of the stocking found under the body. Stella's rings were also missing. A witness, positively identifying D, testified that at some time between the 10th and 14th of August, 1944, she overheard D ask an unidentified person whether he was interested in buying a diamond ring. D was convicted and appealed.