Case Name: Ex Parte Phillip M. Firmin
Court: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Jurisdiction: Texas
Decision Date: 1910-11-02
Citations: 60 Tex. Crim. 368
Docket Number: No. 907
Parties: Ex Parte Phillip M. Firmin.
Judges: 
Reporter: Texas Criminal Reports
Volume: 60
Pages: 368–376

Head Matter:
Ex Parte Phillip M. Firmin.
No. 907.
Decided November 2, 1910.
Rehearing Denied November 23, 1910.
1. — Habeas Corpus — Bail—Practice on Appeal — Proof Evident.
The Constitution of Texas provides that all parties charged with crime are entitled to bail except in cases of a capital offense where the proof is evident; and where upon appeal from a habeas corpus proceeding the record showed that the State introduced the indictment, warrant of arrest and the sheriff’s return, and introduced no facts, and relator introduced no evidence, the relator was entitled to bail. Ramsey, Judge, dissenting.
3. — Same—Motion for New Trial — Right of Appeal — Dismissal.
The failure of the accuséd to file a motion for new trial in the trial court is not cause for dismissal of the appeal in the Court of Criminal Appeals. Following Cotton v. State, 29 Texas, 186.
3, —Same—Petition for Habeas Corpus — Allegation—Practice on Appeal — Juris- • diction.
Where relator had been denied bail in a capital offense in the court below, it was not necessary that the petition definitely set out what relief the relator sought, and where it appeared on appeal that neither party introduced evidence but the State had only introduced the indictment, warrant of arrest and sheriff’s return, it became the duty of the appellate court under Article 920, Code Criminal Procedure, to render a judgment admitting relator to bail. Ramsey, Judge, dissenting.
4. —Same—Burden of Proof — Bail.
Where, in a habeas corpus proceeding, the relator sought bail under charge of a capital offense, the burden of proof is on the State, and where the State only introduced the indictment, warrant of arrest and sheriff’s return, and relator declined to introduce any evidence, he should have been admitted to bail. Following Ex Parte Newman, 38 Texas Crim. Rep., 164.
Appeal from the District Court of Hill. Tried below before the Hon. W. C. Wear.
Appeal from a habeas corpus proceeding denying relator bail in a capital case.
The opinion states the case.
Vaughan & Hart and W. W. Ballew and Ivy, Hill & Greenwood, for relator.
When the jurisdiction of the Court of Criminal Appeals attaches either through an original application for habeas corpus or by an appeal from the judgment of the District Court refusing bail, the jurisdiction and power of the Court of Criminal Appeals is plenary, absolute and final, and the judgment or mandate of the Court of Appeals in habeas corpus cases, whether original or on appeal, operates directly on the officer or person by whom the relator is detained, and said mandate is not to be transmitted to inferior courts for enforcement, as in ordinary appeals. Ex parte Erwin, 7 Texas Crim. App., 288; Ex parte Foster, 5 Texas Crim. App., 625; Ex parte Cole, 14 Texas Crim. App., 579; art. 920, White’s Code Criminal Procedure.
On the question that the indictment would not make a prima facie case: Ex parte Bramer, 37 Texas, 1.
On the question of the nature and character of evidence necessary in denying bail: Ex parte Newman, 38 Texas Crim. Rep., 164; Ex parte Arthur, 47 S. W. Rep., 365; Ex parte Erwin, 7 Texas Crim. App., 288; Ex parte Foster, 5 Texas Crim. App., 625; Ex parte Rothschild, 2 Texas Crim. App., 560; McCoy v. State, 25 Texas, 33.
John A. Mobley, Assistant Attorney-General, and A. M. Frazier, County Attorney, for the State. — Cited authorities in minority opinion.

Opinion:
DAVIDSON, Presiding Judge.
Relator resorted to a writ of habeas corpus to obtain bail. The indictment returned into the District Court of Hill County charged him with the murder of A. B. Puckett.
On the habeas corpus trial the State introduced the indictment, warrant of arrest and the sheriff's return. Relator introduced no evidence. This is, in substance, the agreed statement of facts. Under this condition of the record relator was refused bail and brings his appeal to this court. Our Constitution provides that all parties charged with crime are entitled to bail except in cases of a capital offense where the proof is evident. The record before us does not contain any evidence in regard to the homicide. There were no facts introduced below and none are before this court showing the attendant circumstances of the homicide, if one was committed. Presumptions, under records showing this condition, will be indulged in favor of the liberty of the citizen. The indictment is no evidence against the accused showing that the offense charged was a capital crime. In fact, it only shows that relator was charged with murder of the deceased party named in the indictment. The questions involved here were discussed fully in the case of Ex parte Newman, 38 Texas Crim. Rep., 164. That opinion sustains relator's contention, and has been followed by this court where the question has arisen. Upon the hearing of appeals of this character by this court, this court will render such judgment as should have been rendered in the court below, and by the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure the action of this court is final in its judgment rendered in appeal cases under writ of habeas corpus except where the law authorizes subsequent application for the writ for matters not necessary here to state. When the State closed its case, and the relator failed or declined to introduce evidence, the court should have granted bail. There had been no case made out before the court that the attendant circumstances of the killing showed a capital crime, and that the proof was evident of that fact. But for the fact that an indictment had been preferred relator could be discharged from custody.
The judgment is therefore reversed and bail is granted in the sum of Four Thousand Dollars, upon the giving of which bond, under the terms of the law, to be approved by the officer having him in charge, he will be released from custody.
Released under bail..