People v. Jackson

Defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of second degree murder and one count of kidnaping, and admitted the firearm use allegations in connection with each; he was sentenced to state prison for eleven years. Thereafter defendant was returned to court where he withdrew his guilty pleas. Subsequently he was convicted by a jury on all counts of the information as charged—first degree murder (Haynes), second degree murder (Sparks) and kidnaping (Taylor)—and the firearm use and special circumstance allegations were found to be true. Defendant was sentenced to state prison on count I for life without possibility of parole; sentences on counts II and III were stayed pending completion of sentence on count I. He appeals from the judgment.

Owen Haynes and Lionel Sparks died on November 24, 1978, as a result of gunshot wounds.

Shelia Taylor lived with Haynes and Michael Jones; defendant, a friend of the three, went to their room shortly after midnight on November 24, 1978; he was dressed in a long camel colored coat; when Taylor opened the door she asked him why he was “looking so wild,” but he did not answer; he went to and stood in the corner and put both hands in his pockets;…