Opinion ID: 1688754
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Tennison v. State, 79 Miss. 708, 31 So. 421 (1902)

Text: Defendant was indicted for murder. Change of venue was denied. Tennison was then convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to serve twenty-five (25) years in prison. On the motion for change of venue, testimony showed that public sentiment ran high against the appellant, and that this feeling prevailed throughout the county. The feeling was so intense that lynching was threatened. Many people expressed a feeling that the defendant ought to be hanged. Some witnesses reluctantly admitted that a fair trial could not be had in that county. At the bail hearing, a large crowd was present, and when bail was denied, there was vociferous applause, clapping of hands, rattling of sticks, and cheering. 79 Miss. at 710-11, 31 So. 421. The Supreme Court reversed, but also said on page 713, 31 So. 421 that each case wherein a motion for change of venue is made must be determined on its own special facts. No general rule is possible of formulation.