State v. Bethune

Supreme Court of South Carolina May 13, 1913

State v. Bethune, 78 S.E. 1000 (S.C. 1913)

94 S.C. 443; 1913 S.C. LEXIS 176

Fraser

Opinion of the Court

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

Mr. Justice Woods. The defendant, Willie Bethune, was convicted of murder and sentenced to death by electrocution. He appeals on the ground that at the time of the commission of the crime and at the time of his trial, the penalty for murder was death by hanging, and that the statute providing for the infliction of the death penalty by electrocution is ex post facto and unconstitutional as to him. The question was decided against the contention of appel *444 lant by the opinion and. judgment of the Court in the State v. Joe Malloy, 95 S. C.

It is, therefore, the judgment of the Court that the judgment of the Court of General Sessions be affirmed, and the cause remanded to' that Court so- that a new day may be set for the execution of the sentence.

Affirmed.

Mr. Justice Fraser disqualified.

Writ of error to Supreme Court of the United States has been issued in this case. R.

Reference

Full Case Name: State v. Bethune.
Status: Published
Syllabus: Constitutional Law — Capital Pumshmestt. — Where the statute providing- capital punishment by hanging has been changed to electrocution since the commission of a crime and trial of offender, the statute is not unconstitutional or ex post facto as to him, when enforced under subsequent sentence authorized by appellate Court.