Case Name: L. Jonks v. The State
Court: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Jurisdiction: Texas
Decision Date: 1917-04-25
Citations: 81 Tex. Crim. 493
Docket Number: No. 4454
Parties: L. Jonks v. The State.
Judges: 
Reporter: Texas Criminal Reports
Volume: 81
Pages: 493–496

Head Matter:
L. Jonks v. The State.
No. 4454.
Decided April 25, 1917.
Rehearing granted June 13, 1917.
1. —Threat to Take Life — Information—Practice in County Court.
Where the information did not allege that it was presented by the county attorney and charged the offense set out in the complaint the same was insufficient. Following Zinn v. State, 68 Texas Crim. Rep., 149, and other cases. However, where the State, on rehearing, supplied the proper information, the cause is heard upon its merits.
2. —Same—Transcript—Defective Record.
Where many records brought before this court recently have been prepared in a very negligent and careless manner, it may be necessary in the future to administer some discipline unto parties responsible therefor.
3. —Same—Insufficiency of the Evidence — Threats Must Be Serious.
Where, upon trial of seriously threatening the life of another, etc., it appeared from the evidence that the alleged threat was conditional, and was not a future threat to be executed in the future, and was not seriously made, the conviction can not be sustained.
Appeal from the County Court of McLennan. Tried below before the Hon. James P. Alexander.
Appeal from a conviction of seriously threatening human life; penalty, a fine of one hundred and twenty-five dollars.
The corrected information was in the following form: In the name and by the authority of the State of Texas, I, John B. McNamara, county attorney of McLennan County, in said State - of Texas, now here in the County Court of McLennan County, at the November term, A. D. 1916, thereof, do present this information founded upon the written affidavit of J. S. Dixon, herewith filed, which information charges and presents to said County Court that Ed Jonks in the County of McLennan and State of Texas, heretofore on or about the 8th day of November, A. D. 1916, did then and there unlawfully and seriously threaten to take the life of a human being, towit: J. S. Dixon, and did then and there unlawfully and' seriously threaten to inflict serious bodily injury upon a human being, towit: J. S. Dixon, against the peace and dignity of the State. Signed, John B. McNamara, county attorney of McLennan County, Texas, G-. C. Woods, assistant county attorney of McLennan County, Texas.
John L. Poulter, for appellant.
On question of insufficient information: Compton v. State, 71 Texas Crim. Rep., 7, and other eases cited in opinion.
E. B. Hendricks, Assistant Attorney General, for the State.

Opinion:
DAVIDSON, Presiding Judge.
There are several questions suggested for revision, but under the view we take of the case but one is necessary to be considered as it disposes of this appeal as presented.
The information reads as follows: "Personally appeared before me the undersigned authority, J. S. Dixon, who, after being duly sworn, deposes and says that L. Jonks in the County of McLennan and State of Texas, heretofore on or about the 8th day of November, A. D. 1916, did then and there unlawfully and seriously threaten to take the life of a human being, towit, J. S. Dixon, and did then and there unlawfully and seriously threaten to inflict serious bodily injury upon a human being, towit, J. S. Dixon, against the peace and dignity of the State." This information is not sufficient. The question having been passed upon several times we deem it unnecessary to discuss it but cite the authorities which are in point: Zinn v. State, 68 Texas Crim. Rep., 149, and Compton v. State, 71 Texas Crim. Rep., 7.
The information being insufficient the judgment is reversed and the cause remanded.
Reversed and remanded.