Savinovich

The above-named defendants were jointly charged by information with the crime of arson, in that they, on or about October 2, 1921, willfully, unlawfully, feloniously, and maliciously, in the night-time of said day, set fire to and caused to be burned a certain inhabited building, with the felonious intent to destroy the same, which said building was then and there occupied by human beings. The jury found all of the defendants guilty of arson in the first degree. Judgment of imprisonment in the state prison was thereupon pronounced, and defendants have appealed therefrom and from an order denying their motion for a new trial.

It appears that the defendants owned and conducted a restaurant in the city of El Centro, known as the “San Francisco Grill.” About July 1st defendant Savinovieh left El Centro for Los Angeles, employing Nick Lettunich to act in his stead in the conduct of the business and for which service he individually was to compensate him. About August 20th Lettunich severed his connection with the firm, after which it was conducted, in the absence of Savinovich, by defendants Markovich and Rupar, the former still holding his interest in the firm. The fire occurred in…