Babb v. State
Babb v. State
Opinion of the Court
The appeal in this case is from a judgment of conviction in the court a quo of murder of the second degree, and a penalty of fifty years in the penitentiary.
We find in the record, in lieu of a statement of facts, the following, after stating the number and style of the cause, viz.: “ In this case accused was defended by Mr. Thomas, a freedman, and Mr. Kanada, both of whom reside in Burton. Soon after the verdict was rendered they left the court. The motion for new trial was made by Shepard '& Searcy, neither of whom heard the testimony given in the cause. They are consequently unable to draw a statement of facts. The county attorney declines to draw one. The judge, having heard several similar cases in rapid succession, says that he cannot, unaided, draw a satisfactory statement of the facts. The attorneys who made the defence cannot be had, and left, so far as we are able to find out, no memoranda of the facts proven on the trial. This statement is
With regard to a statement of facts, the statute provides that, “If a new trial be refused, a statement of facts may be drawn up and certified, and placed in the record, as in civil suits. Where the defendant has failed to move for a new trial, he is nevertheless entitled, if he appeals, to have a statement of the facts certified and sent up with the record.” Code Or. Proc., art. 784.
“After the trial of any cause, either party may make out á written statement of the facts given in evidence on the trial, and submit the same to the opposite party or his attorney for inspection. If the parties or their attorneys agree upon such statement of facts, they shall sign the same, and it shall then be submitted to the judge, who shall, if he find it correct, approve and sign it, and the same shall be filed with the clerk during the term.” Rev. Stats., art. 1377.
“ If the parties do not agree upon such statement of facts, or if the judge do not approve or sign it, the parties may submit their respective statements to the judge, who shall from his own knowledge, with the aid of such statements, during the term make out and sign, and file with the clerk, a correct statement of facts proven on the trial, and such statement shall constitute a part of the record. ’ ’ Rev. Stats., art. 1378.
Art. 1379. “ The court may, by an order entered upon the record during the term, authorize the statement of facts to be made up and signed and filed in vacation, at any time not exceeding ten days after the adjournment of the court.”
Under the circumstances of this case, the court should have authorized the statement of facts to be made up and
Though the defendant was not found guilty of murder in the first degree, we cannot pass over the charge of the court in its application of the-law upon that branch to the facts in the case. In his charge the judge “shall not express any opinion as to the weight of evidence, nor shall he sum up the testimony.” Code Cr. Proc., art. 677. And again: “ It is beyond the province of the judge sitting in criminal causes to discuss the facts,” etc. Code Cr. Proc., art. 678. The portion of the charge alluded to is obnoxious to both these provisions.
Again, the charge upon self-defence is objectionable. After stating the rules of self-defence with sufficient fairness and accuracy, this addition or qualification is made : But the jury must be satisfied from the evidence that the
For the reasons indicated, the judgment is reversed and the cause remanded.
Reversed and remanded.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.