Case Name: Jesse Caesar et al. v. The State
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals
Jurisdiction: Texas
Decision Date: 1891-10-17
Citations: 30 Tex. Ct. App. 274
Docket Number: No. 3816
Parties: Jesse Caesar et al. v. The State.
Judges: 
Reporter: Texas Court of Appeals Reports
Volume: 30
Pages: 274–275

Head Matter:
Jesse Caesar et al. v. The State.
No. 3816.
Decided October 17.
Joint Judgment on Joint Prosecution.—It is well settled that a verdict and judgment against joint offenders on a joint trial, to be valid, must assess a separate penalty against each offender. Approving Medis v. The State, 27 Texas Court of Appeals, 194, and authorities there cited on this point.
Appeal from the District Court of Dallas. Tried below before Hon. R. E. Burke.
Appellants Jesse Caesar and Daniel James were jointly indicted for the theft of property over the value of $20. The verdict and judgment assessed their punishment at three years confinement in the penitentiary. The verdict and judgment were both joint, and not several, as to the punishment.
McDonald & Parks and J. C. Jenkins, for appellants.
R. H. Harrison, Assistant Attorney-General, for the State.

Opinion:
WHITE, Presiding Judge.
Appellants were jointly indicted, tried, and convicted of theft of property over the value of $20. Omitting formal parts, the verdict of the jury and the judgment entered thereon are as follows, viz.:
"We the jury find the defendants guilty as charged, and assess their punishment at three years confinement in the penitentiary.
"R. H. McLemore, Foreman.
"It is therefore ordered, adjudged, and decreed by the court, that the verdict of the jury be in all things approved and confirmed; that the defendants, Jesse Caesar and Daniel James, are adjudged to be guilty of the offense of theft of over $20 in value, as found by the verdict of the jury aforesaid; and that they be confined in the State Penitentiary for the term of three years; and that the State of Texas do have and recover of the said defendants all costs in this behalf incurred; and that they be remanded to the custody of the sheriff of Dallas County, to await the further order of this court."
The rule is well settled that a verdict and judgment against joint offenders on a joint trial, to be valid, must assess a separate penalty against each offender. Medis v. State, 27 Texas Ct. App., 194, and numerous authorities cited.
Because the verdict and judgment in this case are invalid, in that a joint and not a separate penalty against the defendants is prescribed, the judgment is reversed and the cause remanded.
Reversed and remanded.
Hurt, J., absent.