Title: Ex Parte Jones

State: alabama

Issuer: Alabama Supreme Court

Document:

473 So. 2d 545 (1985)
Ex parte Martin Lee JONES.
(re Martin Lee JONES and Solomon Bryant v. STATE of Alabama).
Ex parte Solomon BRYANT.
(re Martin Lee JONES and Solomon Bryant v. STATE of Alabama).
83-757, 83-758.

Supreme Court of Alabama.
May 10, 1985.
James H. Lackey, Mobile, for petitioners.
Charles A. Graddick, Atty. Gen., and J. Anthony McLain and James F. Hampton, Sp. Asst. Attys. Gen., for respondent.
EMBRY, Justice.
Writs of certiorari to the Court of Criminal Appeals, 473 So. 2d 541, were issued in these cases, to review the decision of that court that affirmed petitioners' convictions and sentences.
These petitioners were indicted on charges of theft in the second degree. *546 They were arraigned and pleaded not guilty. On 20 April 1983, a motion to consolidate the trials of Martin Lee Jones and Solomon Bryant was filed by the State. It was granted on 22 April 1983. Trial was held on 3 and 4 May 1983; petitioners were found guilty and sentenced. They appealed and the Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed.
The facts set out in the opinion of the Court of Criminal Appeals are sufficient to determine the issue presented for review.
Rule 15.4(b), Alabama Temporary Rules of Criminal Procedure, provides as follows:
We cannot agree with the appellate court's statement that this rule was effectively complied with or, if not, any error arising from the failure to comply was harmless. The rule is mandatory when stating "the court shall not order that the defendants be tried together without first providing the defendants and the prosecutor an opportunity to be heard." (Emphasis added.) Affording an opportunity to move for severance after consolidation fails to cure the prejudicial error resulting from violation of the rule.
As asserted by petitioners, they have a right to effective assistance of counsel at all critical stages of the proceedings against them. Amendment VI, Const. of U.S. Every lawyer experienced in representing persons charged with crimes knows it to be crucial to defense strategy and tactics that he is aware of whether his client is to be tried alone or with another.
We today hold that the purpose of Rule 15.4(b), Alabama Temporary Rules of Criminal Procedure, can only be served by strict compliance with it.
The Court of Criminal Appeals' decision is due to be, and is hereby, reversed and the case remanded to that court for action by it consistent with this opinion.
REVERSED AND REMANDED.
TORBERT, C.J., and MADDOX, FAULKNER, JONES, ALMON, SHORES, BEATTY and ADAMS, JJ., concur.