Court Opinion

ID: 9810880
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 22:02:16.494398+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:40:17.816856
License: Public Domain

AlleN, J.,
concurring in result: I think there are several errors in the charge as it appears in the record, but they are not excepted to, presumably because the charge was not transcribed correctly by the stenographer, and as there is no error in the exceptions taken, and it appears to me that the prisoners began firing simultaneous when the deceased appeared at the door of his house, and could have had but one intent, and that was a common purpose to kill. I agree to the judgment of the court. As I read the record the question in controversy was one of identity, and that has been decided against the prisoners under instructions which are free from criticism on the controverted issue. I do not *730wish to animadvert on tbe judges of tbe Superior Court, knowing as I do tbe many duties they bave to perform, but tbey owe it to themselves and to tbe public to scrutinize tbe records we are called on to review.
In tbis case tbe judge is placed in tbe attitude of charging that tbe burden was on tbe defendants to show matters in mitigation beyond a reasonable doubt, when be doubtless charged “not beyond a reasonable doubt, but to tbe satisfaction of tbe jury.” Tbis was not excepted to.
In another case at tbis term one of tbe most learned judges on tbe Superior Court bench appears to bave held that the vendor of personal property has a vendor’s lien for tbe purchase money which deprived tbe vendor of bis personal property exemption as against tbe purchase money, because be signed a judgment hastily for tbe accommodation of parties, not knowing tbe question was raised.
Much of tbe difficulty about records arises from tbe extension of tbe statutory time for making up tbe case on appeal, and while I would not favor withdrawing from counsel tbe right to extend tbe time by consent, I am of opinion a rule ought to be adopted that there shall be no further extension of tbe time entered upon tbe record without tbe written approval of tbe judge, before whom tbe action is tried, as in tbis way be may bave tbe opportunity of settling tbe case before be has left tbe district or has overlooked many of tbe incidents of tbe trial.