North Dakota Supreme Court, 1926

State v. Burdo

State v. Burdo
North Dakota Supreme Court · Decided April 14, 1926 · Pee, Cheistianson, Jbi-Mson, Nuessle, Bibdzell, Bubke
209 N.W. 657; 54 N.D. 47; 1926 N.D. LEXIS 110 (North Western Reporter)

State v. Burdo

Opinion of the Court

Pee. Curiam:.

*48 The state contends that the trial court erred in advising a verdict of not guilty and that from this' order an appeal may be taken, under subdivision 5 of § 10,993, Comp. Law's, 1913.'

The defendant contends, first, that an appeal does not lie; that the question is moot because a verdict of not guilty was returned by the jury,, citing State v. Kelsey, 49 N. D. 148, 190 N. W. 817; and, that, in any event, on the merits the court did not err in advising a verdict for the reason that, the state’s evidence conclusively and indisputably shows a case of entrapment.

The record in the case shows that a verdict of not guilty was returned ; that the defendant was discharged, and the cash bail which he deposited was returned to him.

This appeal is controlled by State v. Kelsey, supra. The two cases are not distinguishable on the facts, and that 'decision, therefore, is conclusive and the appeal must be dismissed.

We are asked by the state 'to' examine the rulings of the trial court pertaining to the question of entrapment. In the circumstances we deem it better to'let the láw on that subject be settled in a case where the issue is necessarily and properly before the court.. The records of this court, as well as matters which we may judicially notice, do not suggest that the question arises frequently, or is one of such difficulty and public importance that wé should express an opinion thereon which, in the view we take, would be merely advisory in character.

The appeal is dismissed.

• ^' CheistiaNSON,- Ch. J., ' and • Jbi-msoN, Nuessle, Bibdzell, and Bubke, JJ., concur.'

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