Court Opinion

ID: 9771798
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 16:53:47.720977+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:31:36.894277
License: Public Domain

GREENE, Judge,
concurring.
I concur in result. I believe, as the majority opinion holds, that the trial court committed prejudicial error in failing to excuse venire member Mary Sue Barger for cause. I also believe, contrary to the holding of the majority opinion, that the predecessor trial judge committed prejudicial error in failing to sustain Bowling’s *577joint application for change of venue and change of judge.
The majority opinion concedes that Rule 32.08(c)(3),1 mandated that the joint application be sustained, and the case be transferred to the other circuit judge of the circuit, or that the Supreme Court be requested to transfer a judge to hear the case. However, it seeks to avoid application of the rule on the ground that the application suffered from the procedural deficiency of not being accompanied by a notice of when the application would be presented to the court. The purpose of the notice requirement is to give the opposing party an opportunity to be heard, and to contest the form, timeliness and sufficiency of the motion. Matter of Buford, 577 S.W.2d 809, 827 (Mo. banc 1979). There is nothing in the record to indicate that the prosecuting attorney was not aware of the application being filed, or that he had any objection to it. In fact, the filed copy of the application indicates that a copy was served on the prosecutor on May 14, 1985. The application was not denied until May 17th. The state had ample time, if it chose, to contest the form, timeliness and sufficiency of the application. It did not do so. By not doing so, it waived the notice requirement, which was for the prosecutor’s benefit, and not the trial judge’s.
State ex rel. Jackson v. Thompson, 661 S.W.2d 677, 679 (Mo.App.1983), relied on by the majority for its position on this issue, is distinguishable on its facts, as in that case the state contested the application, and made a special appearance to contest its form and sufficiency, which certainly is not the case here.
The right to a fair and impartial trial before an unbiased judge and jury is the cornerstone of our judicial system. Applications for change of judge and change of venue should not be summarily disposed of on the nebulous grounds stated in the trial court’s order.