Court Opinion

ID: 6695044
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 21:47:40.468962+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:04:41.254251
License: Public Domain

CoNNOR., J\,
dissenting: I am aware that it is becoming in a Jiidge, who has once expressed his dissent from the decision of a question, to acquiesce and regard the decision as settling the law. I should not depart from this course in the present case but for my deep conviction that, by following what, with the utmost deference, I think an erroneous precedent, we are depriving a person charged with a grave crime of an opportunity to have her cause submitted to a jury with the light thrown upon the accusation, to which she is entitled.
The defendant was convicted of a most atrocious crime upon the testimony, principally, of a self-confessed burglar and, but for an accidental failure to accomplish his purpose, a murderer, under sentence of death. While there is in the record some testimony the truth of which cannot be *645questioned, but, being admitted, standing alone, is barely sufficient to raise a suspicion of guilt, the only direct, positive testimony against tbe defendant comes from Henry Walker. Without undertaking to point out the ear-marks of falsehood and the improbability of truth in his testimony, or the peculiar circumstances under which it was given, it may be conceded that it constituted evidence fit to be submitted to the jury and, of course, if believed, justified conviction. Nor can it be denied that if she is guilty her punishment is but reasonable and just.
This Court, in a number of cases, the last being State v. Lilliston, 141 N. C., 857, has held that while, in a civil action, it has the power to grant a new trial for newly-discovered evidence, it has no such power in a criminal case. The cases in which the motion has been made were reviewed in Lillistons case. I confess that, after examining them, I am unable to see or to understand wherein the distinction is found which permits and, upon this record, would make it our duty to grant this defendant a new trial if she had been cast in a civil action, involving the title to a tract of land or personal property of an insignificant value, denies the power to do so when she stands convicted of a crime followed by a sentence of imprisonment at hard labor for life. It is not claimed that any statute confers the power in one case and withholds it in the other. The Constitution confers the jurisdiction to hear and determine civil and criminal appeals in exactly the same terms. I am impressed with the fact that in almost every case in which the motion has been denied for want of power the Court has thought proper to say that there is no merit in the case made out by the affidavits, and that, upon the showing made, the motion would not be granted in a civil case. I cannot but think that the learned Judges felt that it was well to strengthen the position by the last reason. I say this with all possible *646respect. State v. Jones, 69 N. C., 16, was a petition to rehear; the question which we have here was not presented. Justice Reads, while denying the petition, said that, upon considering the defense set up, it was apparent that it could not have availed the defendant.
In Starnes’ case, 97 N. C., 424, usually relied upon to sustain the denial of power, the facts as disclosed are that at February Term, 1886, the motion was denied upon the authority of Jones’ case, supra. At the next term of the Superior Court of Union County, when the prisoner was called to the bar for sentence, as the law then required, he made the motion in that Court, filing affidavits to sustain it, The Judge found, among other facts, that the newly-discovered testimony was “cumulative merely,” and for that reason, “in deference to the adjudication of the Supreme Court,” denied the motion, and the prisoner appealed. Smith, G. J., says: “Without stopping to inquire whether, at this late stage in the proceeding, and after an unsuccessful appeal to the Supreme Court upon alleged errors, in law such an application can be entertained in the Superior Court, to whose jurisdiction the cause has been remitted, we proceed, as did the Judge who assumed the right to act upon the application, to consider the case upon its merits, as if made in due and apt time and to a court having jurisdiction.” The learned Chief Justice, not willing to send the prisoner to his death upon the mere denial of power to grant relief, proceeds to carefully analyze the affidavits and rest his judgment upon the elementary proposition that a new trial will not be granted for newly-discovered evidence which is “cumulative merely.” He concludes his opinion with a strong commendation of “the zeal, ability and persevering energy” of counsel assigned by the Court without fee. Their zeal was rewarded by a pardon for their client upon the ground that the newly-discovered evidence disproved his guilt. *647This case falls far short of “closing the question.” State v. Rowe, 98 N. C., 629, is decided upon the authority of -Jones’ and Starnes’ cases, as is State v. Edwards, 126 N. C., 1051. Council’s case, 129 N. C., 511, was a petition to rehear. Prisoner was convicted of a capital felony and sentenced to death. This Court in a "Per Curiam opinion” affirmed the judgment. Douglas, J., ordered the petition docketed. "While it was dismissed because it was held that the Court had no power to grant it, the merits of the petition were discussed, the learned Justice saying: “Though the petition to rehear must be dismissed, we have discussed the objection, as has sometimes been done where an appeal'is dismissed.” Douglas j J., dissented, saying: “Knowing that rehearings are constantly granted in civil cases, and finding no distinction between civil and criminal actions, either in the statute or the rules of the Court, I am unwilling to say, even by implication, that property is more valuable than life and liberty or entitled to a greater degree of protection.” I take the liberty of appropriating and making my own the foregoing language, expressing, as it does, my convictions. Register’s case, 133 N. C., 746, is disposed of by a simple reference to those cited. Not until Lilliston’s case, supra, is any discussion to be found of the question or other reason given than that it is so decided. In that case an exceedingly well-considered and interesting written argument was filed, tracing the history of the judicial system of the State from its foundation, showing from the language of the statutes what power and jurisdiction was conferred upon the courts, Superior and Supreme. In that case the defendant’s motion was met with an uncontradicted affidavit, showing that he knew, prior to the trial, of the evidence upon which he relied. This, of course, made it the duty of the Court to decline the motion, and while the question was somewhat discussed and the power denied, the Chief Justice gave this *648as an additional reason for denying the motion. The case before ns is absolutely free from such complications. Walker was convicted of burglary and sentenced to be hanged. Tie made statements implicating the defendant and another woman as accessories before the fact. He was respited, for the purpose of enabling the State to have his testimony upon their trial. His testimony, if true, made both the women guilty. There was positive, direct, and, except by Walker, uncontradicted testimony, contradicting his evidence. Much of it was from disinterested witnesses and went to the vital question in the case in regard to which he was not corroborated. While I do not wish to discuss the testimony, it is but proper to say that I do not understand it after reading it carefully twice, as set out in the opinion. I do not find any testimony, except Walker’s, other than an inference that she took the key out of the door; nor do I understand Mr. Holt’s testimony to be that he refused to sign the petition, for her husband’s pardon. On the contrary, he says that he told her that if the Judge and jury would sign it, he would do so. This incident makes an entirely different impression on my mind from that drawn in the opinion. It not only shows the kindly feeling existing between Mr. Holt and the defendant, but explains her trip to Burlington the night of the shooting. Her husband had been convicted of an assault and sentenced to the roads. This fact is not claimed to have any connection with the shooting of Mr. Holt- — he had nothing to do with it. Nor do I see,anything in her conduct referred to “as an attempt to flee” inconsistent with innocence. It is impossible to analyze the testimony, and I only make this reference to it to say that if I understood it as stated in the opinion I should promptly refuse her motion without regard to the question of power.
The jury acquitted the other woman, Eannie McOain, and convicted the defendant. It is not proper for me to comment *649upon tbis fact and I bave no inclination to do so. Tbe defendant, a colored woman, evidently without friends or influence, bas been imprisoned since ber conviction. Tbe motion for a new trial is based upon tbe affidavit of tbe Sheriff who executed Walker. lie says: “That affiant beard tbe said Henry Walker, as be stood upon the scaffold with tbe rope around his neck and bis feet and hands confined, just before be was banged, and when asked by affiant if be desired to say anything before bis execution, say with great earnestness and with repeated statements that Annie Turner and Eanny McCain bad nothing to do with tbe shooting of Mr. L. Banks Holt or with entering tbe bouse — that neither of them knew anything about- it whatever; that be bad sworn that they bad tried to persuade him to shoot Mr. Holt because be thought that it would prolong bis life, and that all that be bad said about them was false in every particular. He further denied that be bad shot Mr. Holt and that he knew anything about it one way or tbe other.” Three other persons filed affidavits corroborating that of tbe Sheriff. Here we bave a case in which every condition required by tbe courts for granting a new trial for newly-discovered testimony is met. Tbe newly-discovered evidence is material, would probably result in a different verdict, is not cumulative merely, and could by no possibility bave been known to defendant until January 8, 1907, after tbe adjournment of tbe Court at which she was tried. Tbe newly-discovered evidence comes with, what is declared by tbe law, as much solemnity as if made under oath. It is a dying declaration. While it is not my purpose to discuss tbe merits of tbe "defendant’s case, I am impressed with what is said by counsel in Pegram v. King, 9 N. C., 605: “Tbe simple statement of tbe case shows there must be relief somewhere.” In that case (9 N. C., 295), on a motion to dismiss a bill to set aside a judgment and grant a new trial because tbe principal *650witness “upon bis death-bed” said that the evidence which he had given upon the trial was untrue, the Court said: “It resembles those cases where the principal witness on a trial at law has been afterwards convicted of perjury in his evidence in that case. In such cases relief should be granted in some way or other.” When the cause came on for hearing, upon argument by Gaston' for and Ruffin against granting relief, Taylor, C. Jsaid: “And in a court of equity if new evidence is discovered which could not possibly be made use of in the first trial the Court will interfere. No evidence could have been given of the dying declarations of Jenks, wrung from him in an agony of remorse when he had no motive to misrepresent.” It is true that the witness Walker, as a part of his dying declaration, denied his own guilt. This would, however, go to the value to be attached to his declaration regarding the innocence of the defendant. It is said that for a miscarriage of justice, such as indicated here, the defendant can apply to the Governor for pardon. I think that, so long as the cause is pending in the courts, there should be, and is, power in the judicial department to secure a fair, impartial trial. It is not pardon, but justice that the defendant asks. She insists that she is not guilty and that her conviction has been accomplished by the perjury of the principal witness, and that she is entitled to be tried in the light of his confession made on the gallows. To the suggestion that her relief is in executive clemency, I find no more conclusive answer than is given by Douglas, Jin Council's case, supra: “The argument that in criminal cases the pardoning power of the Governor fulfils the purpose of a rehearing, is purely db inconveniento and, to my mind, does not meet the ends of justice. Pardon is an act of mercy; and so far from establishing the innocence of any one, presupposes his guilt. The Governor may restore him to his liberty, but not his character. What a defendant asks in a *651rehearing is that be may bave a fair trial, and yet, no matter bow clearly bis innocence may appear, nor bow great tbe error we ourselves may bave committed, we can give bim no relief.” In a case like this, tbe Governor can be asked to pardon only because be believes tbe party not guilty. A new trial only gives tbe defendant an opportunity to bave another jury, with tbe additional light, pass upon tbe question of bis guilt. If this defendant is guilty of tbe crime charged, there is nothing in tbe case appealing to executive clemency. If she is not guilty, she does not need it. I fully concur in tbe wisdom of the principle that new trials in either civil or criminal cases should for newly-discovered evidence be granted with the utmost caution and only in a clear case. Under our rule no argument will be beard upon tbe motion. It is not probable, and I hope not possible, that another case appealing so strongly to tbe Court for a re-examination of tbe rule denying relief will come to us. That tbe motion is renewed after tbe repeated denial of power indicates that the profession, usually so ready to acquiesce in tbe decisions of tbe Court, does not give its assent to the conclusion reached upon this question. As for myself, “having fully stated what, in my opinion, is tbe correct principle of law, as it should have been declared, henceforth this decision shall be tbe law with me.” Wallcer, J., in Hoggard v. Jordan, 140 N. C., 619.
WalKER, J., concurs in tbe dissenting opinion.