Ex parte McGehan
Ex parte McGehan
Opinion of the Court
There are at least two good reasons, in our judgment, why this application should be refused.
The first of these is, that McGehan did not make any application for his discharge, or ask for a trial, at the November term, 1871, of the Preble court, which is claimed to be the “ second term” intervening after the finding of the indictment, within the meaning of section 161 of the code. That section provides, that if the prisoner is not “brought to trial” before the end of the secoxid term of the court, held after the indictment is found, “ he shall be entitled to be discharged, so far as relates to the offense for which he was committed, unless the delay shall happen on the application of the prisoner.” This section, standing alone, would seem to give the prisoner the right to be dischax’ged at any time after the end of the second tenn, without any actioxx on his part duriixg that term, and simply for the non-action on the part of the state in failing to bring him to trial. But this section must be construed in connection with section 163. That section provides, that “ when an application is made” by the prisoner for his discharge under section 161 (or under section 162), if the court “ shall be satisfied there is material evidence on the part of the state, which can not be had; that reasonable exertions have been made to procure the same, and that there is just ground to believe that such evidence can be had at the succeeding term, the cause may be continued, and the
But another answer to this application is, that we can not, in an ex parte proceeding of this nature, review and reverse the judgment of another court. This is in fact what we are asked to do. The discharge of the prisoner provided for in these sections of the code is to be regarded, not as a mere temporary release from imprisonment, but as a discharge from prosecution for the crime or offense. It is, in effect, an acquittal, and the order granting it is a final judgment in the cause, and puts an end to all proceeding therein. The real complaint here is, that the court erred in refusing to render such final judgment in the cause, and instead thereof, remanding the prisoner to custody and continuing the cause. This judgment of the court, until reversed, is a valid judgment, and good authority for the retention of the prisoner in custody. To order
Writ refused.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Ex parte James McGehan
- Status
- Published