Case Name: MARTIN v. STATE
Court: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Jurisdiction: Texas
Decision Date: 1913-06-27
Citations: 158 S.W. 994
Docket Number: 
Parties: MARTIN v. STATE.
Judges: 
Reporter: South Western Reporter
Volume: 158
Pages: 994–994

Head Matter:
MARTIN v. STATE.
(Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
June 27, 1913.)
Criminal Law (§ 885*) — Punishment— Suspended Sentence — Power of Court.
Where the jury found that accused had never before been convicted, and specifically recommended a suspension of his sentence, the trial court cannot sentence him to the penitentiary, but must heed the recommendation of the jury.
[Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Criminal Law, Cent. Dig. § 2108; Dec. Dig. § 885.*]
Appeal from Cl'iminal District Court, Harris County; C. W. Robinson, Judge.
F. T. Martin was convicted of burglary. From a judgment sentencing him to the penitentiary, he appeals.
Remanded, with instructions to suspend sentence.
C. E. Lane, Asst. Atty. Gen., for the State.

Opinion:
DAVIDSON, P. J.
Appellant was convicted of burglary; his punishment being assessed at four years.
The matters set forth in the suspended sentence act of the Legislature were properly submitted by the court to the jury. They found all these issues in favor of appellant. The court, however, declined to suspend the sentence, although the jury specifically recommended it. On account of this error of the court, this case will be remanded to the criminal district court of Harris county, with instructions to enter suspension of sentence in accordance with the finding of the jury. This case is in the same attitude as the recent case of Baker v. State, 158 S. W. 998, from the same county, the opinion in which was delivered by Judge Harper. This judge will follow the directions and instructions therein set out.
The cause is remanded to the criminal district court of Harris county, with instructions to render the judgment in accordance with the finding of the jury.