Court Opinion

ID: 7362769
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-27 23:48:40.234738+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:20:40.994016
License: Public Domain

DOWDELL, J.
It affirmatively appears of record that the grand jury by which the indictment was found and returned in this case Avas illegally constituted. The original venire consisted of 18 persons, all of whom appeared and Avere ascertained by the court to possess the necessary qualifications, and all Avere thereupon duly and legally sworn in as grand jurors. Subsequently 3 of said grand jurors were excused by the court, Avhich left 15 of the original venire. With the 15 remaining— the minimum number under the statute — it was still a legally constituted grand jury. The court, hOAvever, after having excused the 3, and Avhile 15 yet remained, caused 4 other persons to be called and sworn as grand jurors and added to this number. This Avas Avithout authority of Iuav, and rendered the grand jury so constituted an illegal body, and consequently the indictmnet returned by it, and upon which the defendant Avas tried, Avas a nullity. — Section 5023, Cr. Code 1896; Perry v. State, 63 Ala. 126; Peters v. State, 98 Ala. 38, 13 South. 334.
The objection is available on appeal, although not raised on the trial in the circuit court. — Finley v. State, 61 Ala. 201; Hall v. State, 134 Ala. 90, 32 South. 750 Other questions presented need not now be considered, as they may not arise on another trial.
*20For the error pointed out, the judgment must be reversed, and the cause remanded. The defendant will be held to answer a new indictment, and until discharged according to law.
Reversed and remanded.
Tyson, C. J., and Anderson and McClellan, JJ,, concur.