Shockley

Colleen Shockley was charged with murder of her son James on April 13, 1974 (count one; Pen. Code, § 187), willful cruelty toward and endangering her sons James and Timothy on April 13, 1974 (counts two and three; Pen. Code, § 273a, subd. (1)), willful cruelty toward and endangering Timothy between August 1, 1975 and November 18, 1975 (count four; Pen. Code, § 273a, subd. (1)), and inflicting cruel and inhuman corporal punishment on Timothy between August 1, 1975 and November 18, 1975 (count five; Pen. Code, § 273d). The court granted the motion to sever counts four and five which dealt with Timothy alone and occurred over a year later. After trial without jury Colleen was found guilty of second degree murder (count one) and willful cruelty and endangering her sons (counts two and three). On motion of the People the other charges were dismissed.

Colleen was sentenced to prison for the term prescribed by law, sentences to run concurrently. Colleen appeals.

James and Timothy were twins, bom July 11, 1972, of Carl and Colleen Shockley. Colleen had another child, Tony Camps, issue of a previous marriage.

On April 13, 1974, when the twins were 21 months old Carl left for…