Case Name: Jose De Pena v. The State
Court: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Jurisdiction: Texas
Decision Date: 1929-12-18
Citations: 114 Tex. Crim. 314
Docket Number: No. 12815
Parties: Jose De Pena v. The State.
Judges: 
Reporter: Texas Criminal Reports
Volume: 114
Pages: 314–315

Head Matter:
Jose De Pena v. The State.
No. 12815.
Delivered December 18, 1929.
Rehearing denied State March 19, 1930.
Reported in 25 S. W. (2d) 1106.
The opinion states the case.
M. M. Winningham and M. V. Ward, both of El Paso, for appellant.
W. S. Berkshire, Dist. Atty., and 7. L. Rasberry, Asst. Dist. Atty., both of El Paso, and A. A. Dawson of Canton, State’s Attorney, for the State.

Opinion:
LATTIMORE, Judge.
Conviction for murder; punishment, death.
It is charged in the indictment herein that appellant "Did then and there voluntarily kill Alfredo Acuna by shooting him with a pistol, against the peace and dignity of the State." An indictment for murder which does not charge that same was committed with malice aforethought, will not sustain a judgment of conviction carrying with it a penalty greater than five years in the penitentiary. Swilley v. State, No. 12792, opinion December 11, 1929. The indictment in the instant case fails to charge that the murder was committed with malice aforethought.
For the reason mentioned the judgment will be reversed and the cause remanded.
Reversed and remanded.