Court Opinion

ID: 9825674
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-01 13:54:45.155284+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:41:16.074392
License: Public Domain

Wood, J., (on rehearing) : We have concluded upon reconsideration of the testimony that the trial court erred in holding that the affiant, whose testimony is set forth in the original opinion, is not a credible person. The testimony of this supporting witness showed that he based his opinion that the appellant conld. not obtain a fair and impartial trial in Randolph County upojL the fact that he had been informed that the appellant’s case • — -the charge of selling* intoxicating liquors — had. been widely discussed all over the county by one Perrin, who was then a candidate for sheriff, to the effect that he was “going to send Mr. Sisson to hell or the penitentiary one.” The-testimony is undisputed that Perrin had made the above, announcement generally and all over the county. Perrin was elected sheriff. The statement was certainly extremely prejudicial to the appellant, and was calculated to arouse in the minds of the inhabitants of Randolph County who heard the same a prejudice against 'Sisson. Even though the -affiant did- not himself hear Perrin make -such a statement and did not hear any one else express a sentiment that was prejudicial or derogatory to the appellant, nevertheless the fact remains that-such-a derogatory statement to appellant’s cause.by one who was aspiring to the sheriff’s office in the county and who was thereafter elected to that office was calculated, as we have stated, to create a prejudice ■ in the minds of the voters against the appellant; arid it furnished a foundation which fully justified the affiant im his belief that the minds of-the inhabitants of the county had been prejudiced against the appellant. The trial court erred 'and abused its discretion in holding that the affiant, Judge Meeks, Was not a credible person in the meaning of the change of venue law. While much is left to the fair discretion and judgment of the trial court in determining* the credibility of supporting witnesses to a petition for a change of venue, nevertheless the court may abuse its discretion in passing upon particular facts and we are convinced that such is the case here. See Mills v. State, 1005. The motion for rehearing is therefore granted, and the .judgment, for the error in holding that one of the affiants to the affidavit supporting the petition for la change- of venue wavs not a credible person, is reversed, and the cause is remanded for a new trial. McCulloch, C. J., dissents.