Case Name: The State vs. Frank P. Byrd
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1880
Citations: 1 Mann. Unrep. Cas. 303
Docket Number: No. 870
Parties: The State vs. Frank P. Byrd.
Judges: 
Reporter: Unreported cases heard and determined by the Supreme Court of Louisiana, from January 8, 1877, to April, 1880
Volume: 1
Pages: 303–304

Head Matter:
No. 870.
The State vs. Frank P. Byrd.
If the record fails to shew that the prisoner was present in court when the verdict of the jury was rendered, the omission vitiates the trial.
Appeal from the District Court for Bossier. Turner, J.
Potts, District Attorney, for the State. Bowery for Defendant.

Opinion:
Egan, J.
The accused was indicted for murder and found guilty and sentenced for manslaughter.
Tlie record fails to show that the accused was present in court when the verdict against them was rendered and returned.
This is fatal. Great negligence and looseness seems to prevail in either the minutes, or the conduct of trials in criminal, and especially capital, cases.
Judgment reversed, and new trial ordered.