Case Name: STATE v. ZUMMO. Ex parte ZUMMO
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1905-10-28
Citations: 115 La. 456
Docket Number: No. 15,849
Parties: STATE v. ZUMMO. Ex parte ZUMMO.
Judges: 
Reporter: Louisiana Reports
Volume: 115
Pages: 241–242

Head Matter:
(39 South. 442.)
No. 15,849.
STATE v. ZUMMO. Ex parte ZUMMO.
(Oct. 28, 1905.)
1. Habeas Corpus — Refusal of Bail — Review.
The Supreme Court will interfere when the criminal court has refused to admit a defendant to bail only in case it be evident that a prejudicial error has been committed.
2. Same — Grounds of Defense.
Grounds of defense are confined to the trial. They are not controlling or conclusive, one way or the other, in considering questions which may arise prior to trial.
(Syllabus by the Court.)
Application of Vito Zummo for writ of habeas corpus.
Denied.
Chandler Clement Luzenberg, for applicant.

Opinion:
BREAUX, C. J.
The defendant asks to be released on bail. He is charged with having taken the life of John Schaub on the 26th day of July, 1905.
A preliminary examination was held before the first city criminal court on the 16th day of October, 1905, and defendant was committed to the criminal district court without the benefit of bail.
He applied to the criminal district court for his release on bail. The court refused to grant the application.
The petition for the writ of habeas corpus is grounded upon the evidence taken before the committing magistrate, and the contention is that the proof of the crime is not evident nor the presumption great.
The criminal court unquestionably had jurisdiction, and no other court should hasten to interfere.
The refusal to admit the defendant to bail is prima facie correct, and should remain at least until it appears that it was manifestly erroneous. The onus is with de< fendant.
The case is following the usual course, and no unusual delay is urged.
Those authorized to weigh this evidence, and upon whom the responsibility rests to act upon the accusation, will doubtless act as promptly as possible and judiciously.
We have considered the court's refusal alone. The judge of the trial court is in a position to know whether an immediate investigation, or one within reasonable time, will be had. The question to be then considered is separate and independent of the questions which arise on an application to bond. The defendant will have ample opportunity to present all questions of law which may enter into the nature of the crime charged. He therefore is not prejudiced in that respect by the refusal of his application. The trend of the decisions beginning with State v. McColley, ante, p. 403, 39 South. 81, has been not to interfere after the district court has acted, unless it clearly appears that the defendant is entitled to bail.
We think we should adhere to these decisions, and for that reason the refusal of the judge of the criminal district court is maintained, and the defendant's petition is dismissed.