Case ID: fla_65/html/0253-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Whitfield, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

James Platt and Elijah Bellamy, Plaintiffs in Error, v. The State of Florida, Defendant in Error.
    
    Opinion Filed March. 5, 1913.
    In a conviction for capital punishment where the evidence as to the identity of the accused is not satisfactory, a new trial should be granted.
    Writ of error to the Circuit Court for Clay County.
    Judgment reversed.
    
      A. E. Bell, and BoM. W. Davis, for Plaintiffs in Error;
    
      T. F. West, Attorney General, and G. O. A.ndreios, for the State.
   Whitfield, J.

The plaintiffs in error, were convicted of murder in the first degree, and on writ of error the only contention is the insufficiency of the evidence. There were no eye-witnesses to the homicide, and the identity of the accused is the essential issue. After a most careful consideration of the evidence the court is of opinion that while there is some evidence to identify the defendants as being the guilty parties, the testimony taken as a whole, is far from being satisfactory or convincing, and as human life is involved, it is considered just and right that another jury should pass upon the issues made. The judgment, therefore, is reversed and a new trial granted.

Shackleford, C. J., and Taylor, Cockrell and Hock-er, J. J., concur.