Case Name: Ex parte ROSS
Court: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Jurisdiction: Texas
Decision Date: 1913-05-21
Citations: 157 S.W. 496
Docket Number: 
Parties: Ex parte ROSS.
Judges: 
Reporter: South Western Reporter
Volume: 157
Pages: 496–496

Head Matter:
Ex parte ROSS.
(Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
May 21, 1913.)
Bail (§ 52 ) — Exgessiveness.
Petitioner, having been charged with robbery by the use of firearms in connection with certain others, denied his. guilt and claimed that he was the subject of a conspiracy on the part of others to send him to the penitentiary. One of the cases had been tried, and resulted in a disagreement, and petitioner was admitted to bail in the sum of $20',009, which he was unable to give. Held, that the bail fixed was excessive, and should be reduced to $5,000.
[Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Bail, Cent. Dig. § 209; Dec. Dig. § 52. ]
Appeal from District Court, El Paso County; Dan M. Jackson, Judge.
Habeas corpus by L. E. Ross to obtain a reduction of bail. Granted, and bail fixed at $5,000.
John T. Hill and Chas. Owen, both of El Paso, for appellant. O. E. Lane,'Asst. Atty. Gen., for the State.
For other eases see same topic and section NUMBER in Dec. Dig. & Am. Dig. Key-No. Series & Rep’r Indexes

Opinion:
DAVIDSON, P. J.
Applicant was charged with robbery by the use of firearms. It is shown in the record that applicant and one or more others by the use of pistols committed the offense of robbery. Several persons were "held up" at the same time, and robbed by the same persons, and all in the same room. In other words, the transaction was one; all the parties being robbed at the same time and place. Growing out of this several indictments were presented— some 18 or 20. As we gather from the record, there was a separate offense charged for robbery as to each individual, and several cases charging conspiracy between applicant and others to commit the robbery. There was a trial before a jury on one of the cases, but no conclusion was reached by the jury. They were discharged without verdict.
The court fixed applicant's bond at $20,'000. This he was unable to give, and resorted to writ of habeas corpus for the purpose of reducing the amount. The evidence discloses that he could give a bond of $5,000. We have not mentioned the applicant's side of the case. He denies having committed the robbery, or participating in it, and claims that he is the subject of a conspiracy on the part of those who were seeking to destroy him and send him to the penitentiary. We are not passing on the merits of the case, nor intending to convey any idea we may have of the facts or credibility of the witnesses. We are of the opinion that the bond is excessive. The trial court should have reduced the bond. We are not intending to discuss the question of jeopardy in case of conviction; but, taking the case as presented, we are of the opinion the bond is excessive. Wherefore the judgment is reversed, and bail granted in the sum of $5,000. Upon the giving of this bond in the terms of the law, applicant will be discharged from custody.
The judgment is reversed, and bail fixed in the sum of $5,000.