Case ID: ky_129/html/0458-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Ym. Rogers Clay, Commissioner —", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

CASE 46. — PROSECUTION AGAINST PETER GEARHART FOR SELLING LIQUOR IN VIOLATION OF THE LOCAL OPTION LAW. — September 25.
    Gearhart v. Commonwealth
    Appeal from Elliott Circuit Court.
    J. B. Hannah, Circuit Judge.
    Defendant convicted, and appeals. —
    Reversed.
    1. Criminal Law — Jurisdiction—Transfer of Causes. — Crim. Code Prac., section 230, provides that, if, during trial, it appears the offense was committed out of the court’s jurisdiction, hut within that of another court within the State, the court shall discharge the jury and take the proceedings directed in sections' 166 and 167. Section 166 provides, if a demurrer to an indictment is sustained because the offense was committed in another jurisdiction and the offense is a felony, the indictment, etc., shall be transferred to the clerk of such jurisdiction and defendant’s body delivered, etc., the order of transfer to operate as a magistrates order holding the defendant to answer. Section 167 requires the same proceedings when it appears on the trial that the offense was committed in another jurisdiction. Held that, while sections 166 and 167 applied only to felonies, section 230 did not so limit their application, but made them applicable to misdemeanors also.
    2. Same — Indictment—Variance—Allegations and Proof. — Where defendant was indicted in Carter county for illegally selling liquors in that county, and, it appearing on the trial that the offense was committed in Elliott county, the cause was transferred thereto for trial, it was error to try defendant, there upon the indictment found in Carter county, and he should have been held to answer to an indictment iff .Elliott county, since proof that it was committed in Elliott county would not sustain the indictment, charging an offense in Carter county.
    
      HENRY L. WOOD for appellant.
    We contend that where a misdemeanor case is removed before trial to another county under section 230 of the Criminal Code, then, before trial can be had, it must be re-referred to the grand jury of the county to which it is removed and a new indictment found, for if it is not done in this way a motion in arrest of judgment must always prevail, for the old indictment would show that the offense was committed in another county, and could not state facts sufficient to constitute an offense within the jurisdiction of the court to which it is removed.
    JAMES BREATHITT, Attorney General, and TOM B. MCGREGOR, Assistant Attorney General, for appellee.
    By the record it will be observed that the local option law was in effect in Elliott county at the time the illegal sale was made by appellant, and we can see no .reason why the original indictment, found by the Carter county grand jury, should have been dismissed', on the case being removed under section 230, Criminal Code, to Elliott county, and a new indictment found, where the offense was in every respect identical in both counties at the time of its alleged commission. (Sections 166, 167 and 230, Criminal Code.)
   Opinion of the Court by

Ym. Rogers Clay, Commissioner —

Reversing.

Appellant, Peter Gearhart, was indicted by the grand jury of Carter county for the offense of selling spirituous, vinous and malt liquors in that county in violation of the local option laws. "When the case was called for trial at the special term of the Carter circuit court, it developed, upon the hearing that the offense was committed in Elliott county. Thereupon the commonwealth’s attorney moved the court to transfer the case to the Elliott circuit court for trial, which was done over the objection of appellant. The case was not recommitted to the grand jury of Elliott county, but appellant was tried on the original indictment by the Carter county grand jury. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and fixed appellant’s punishment at a fine of $60 and 20 days in jail. This appeal involves two questions: (1) Was the case properly transferred from the Carter circuit court to the Elliott circuit court? (2) Was it proper to try appellant on the indictment returned in the Carter circuit court.

Section 230 of the Criminal Code of Practice is as follows: “If, during the trial, it shall appear that the offense was committed out of the jurisdiction of the court, but within the jurisdiction of some other court of this State, the court shall stop the trial, discharge the jury, and take the proceedings in the case directed in sections 166 and 167.” While it is true that sections 166 and 167 apply only to felony cases, there is nothing in section 230 that limits its application to such cases. We therefore conclude that it applies alike to felonies and misdemeanors. .It follows that it was proper for the Carter circuit court to transfer the case to the Elliott circuit court.

But was it proper for the Elliott circuit court to try appellant on the indictment returned in the Carter circuit court? The indictment in question charged appellant with the offense of violating the local option laws by selling spirituous, vinous, and malt liquors in Carter county. Manifestly, therefore, the Elliott circuit court could not try a man for an offense committed in Elliott county under an indictment for an offense committed in Carter county. In the first place, the Elliott circuit court would have no jurisdiction of the offense if committed in Carter county. In the second place, proof to the effect that an offense was committed in Elliott county would not sustain an indictment charging an offense in Carter county. We therefore condude that the action of the Elliott circuit court in trying appellant upon the indictment in question was erroneous. Instead of trying him upon that indictment, he should have been held to bail to answer for his appearance to an indictment by the Elliott circuit court.

For the reasons given, the judgment is reversed and cause remanded, with directions to hold appellant to bail to answer for his appearance to an indictment by the Elliott circuit court.