Case ID: sw_216/html/0869-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "LATTIMORE, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

(86 Tex. Cr. R. 327)
    WASHINGTON v. STATE.
    (No. 5587.)
    (Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
    Dec. 3, 1919.)
    1. Criminal law <§=1099(5)-Considera-, TION OF STATEMENT OF FACTS NOT FILED IN TIME.
    A statement of facts filed more than 90 days after adjournment of the term at which conviction was had, contrary to Code Cr. Proc. ar(t. 845, cannot be considered. .
    2. ¡Criminal law <§=1106(2) — 'What constitutes FILING OF TRANSCRIPT “AT ONCE.”
    I A transcript, filed nearly 150 days after aoljournment of trial court, is in plain violation oil the duty enjoined on the district clerk by statute, requiring that transcripts he made out “jit once” after adjournment, and forwarded to C|ourt of Criminal Appeals.
    ] [Ed. Note. — For other definitions, see Words ajnd Phrases, First and Second Series, At Once.]
    3. Cbihinal law <§=1097(4) — Admissibility OF CONFESSION NOT CONSIDEBED IN ABSENCE OF STATEMENT OF FACTS.
    Without a statement of facts appellate court c annot determine whether confession was obtained by force.
    4. Criminal law <§=537 — Forced confession ADMISSIBLE IF THEREBY FRUITS OF 'CRIME ARE DISCOVERED.
    In a prosecution for burglary of a private residence, a confession obtained by force is admissible if in connection therewith defendant'made statements which led to the finding of the stolen property, the fruits of the crime.
    Appeal from District Court, Houston County; John S. Prince, Judge.
    Tobe Washington .was convicted of burglary of a private residence, and he appeals.
    Affirmed.
    Alvin M. Owsley, Asst. Atty. Gen., for the State.’
   LATTIMORE, J.

Appellant was convicted in the district court of Houston county of the offense of burglary of a private residence, and given a sentence of five years in the penitentiary.

We cannot consider the statement of facts filed in this case, because the same was filed in the office of the district clerk more than 90 days after the adjournment of the term at which appellant was convicted. See article 845, C. C. P. It appears from the record that said term of court adjourned on April 23, 1919, and the statement of facts was not filed until August 1, 1919.

We also call attention to the fact that the transcript herein was not filed in this court until September 17, 1919, or nearly 150 days after the adjournment of the trial court. This is in plain violation of the duty enjoined upon the district clerk by our statute, which requires that transcripts be made out at once after adjournment, and forwarded to this court. Attention was called to this character of dereliction in Francis v. State, 70 Tex. Cr. R. 243, 156 S. W. 1167, and id Northcutt v. State, 70 Tex. Cr. R. 577, 158 S. W. 1004.

We trust that the time will come when the district clerks of this state will more carefully observe the requirements of our laws in this respect.

There are three bills of exceptions in the record, but there is no statement therein as to when any of them were filed with the district clerk. They complain in various ways that the admission of the alleged confession was obtained by force. Without any statement of facts, we are unable to say whether this is error. If, in connection with such confession, statements were made by appellant which led to the finding of the stolen property, the fruits of the crime, etc., such confession would be admissible notwithstanding.

The indictment and the charge of the court seem to follow the law; and, no error appearing, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed. 
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