Case Name: Ex parte BOWMAN
Court: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Jurisdiction: Texas
Decision Date: 1918-06-19
Citations: 204 S.W. 329
Docket Number: No. 5083
Parties: Ex parte BOWMAN.
Judges: 
Reporter: South Western Reporter
Volume: 204
Pages: 329–330

Head Matter:
Ex parte BOWMAN.
(No. 5083.)
(Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
June 19, 1918.)
Bail <©=>52 — Amount—Abson.
In an ordinary case of arson, where it appeared that accused could not get any one to go on his bail bond for more than $1,500, the court erred in requiring him to furnish a bond for $6,000, and the bail will be reduced to $1,500.
Appeal from District 'Court, Childress County; J. A. Nabers, Judge.
Proceeding in habeas corpus by R. W. Bowman seeking reduction of the amount of bail. From a judgment denying the relief demanded, the applicant appeals.
Reversed and bail fixed.
Jos. H. Aynesworth, of Childress, for appellant. E. B. Hendricks, Asst. Atty. Gen., for the State.

Opinion:
PRENDERGAST, J.
This is an appeal from a hearing had on habeas corpus in the court below seeking a reduction of the amount of the bail fixed by the lower court. This was an ordinary case charging arson.
The evidence shows that the applicant (Bowman) was a man without any means, and, while he had some relatives and many friends, with one exception, none of them had any property such as would enable them to make his bond. The exception was a friend who refused outright to go on his bond for the sum of $6,000 which was fixed by the court as the amount of Ms bail bond in tMs case. The evidence further shows that prior to the indictment, on a preliminary hearing, his bail bond in this case was fixed at $1,-500, which he succeeded in giving by said friend who was able to make bond for him, and others, going on that bond. It also shows that he had been indicted in another case, a felony, growing out of this alleged arson. His bond in that case was $1,000. He also succeeded in making that bond.
Under the circumstances of this case, the bail herein fixed at $6,000 was excessive. We see no necessity of discussing the question or referring to the authorities. Under the circumstances, we think the amount of the bail bond should be reduced and that $1,500 would be a reasonable amount therefor. The judgment of the district court will therefore be reversed, and appellant's bail herein fixed at $1,500.
Bail reduced and fixed at $1,500.
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