Lott v. State
Lott v. State
Opinion of the Court
This is an indictment against Serena Lott and Nancy Lott for disturbing religious worship. It appears from the statement of facts that the case was tried first on the lltli day of February, 1874, when a verdict of guilty was rendered against both defendants, assessing a fine of five dollars against them. On their motion a new trial was granted, and the case was set for trial again on the next day, being 12th of February, counsel for defendants stating that the witnesses had
It is shown by the application for continuance that the absent witnesses had been in attendance on the previous day when the case was tried, and that they had been duly summoned as witnesses. The materiality of the testimony is shown, that the witnesses resided near town, and that their attendance could be procured in three or four hours. Under the circumstances, we think the trial should have been postponed for a few hours, as requested, if not continued for the term. The case had been tried the day before, and the witnesses had gone to their homes. The parties seem to have acted in ignorance of the fact that the case would be called for trial again at that term, when the witnesses were informed that they were not required to remain longer; and though the code makes provision, in some cases, that the cause may be again tried at the same or another term, the parties should have been allowed time to procure the attendance of their witnesses, under the circumstances shown in this case. On these grounds the judgment will be reversed, without considering at this time the other objections presented by the record.
Bbvebsed and kemahdbd.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Nancy Lott v. State
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- 1. Practice.—Where a new trial is granted, it is error to put the defendant upon trial at the same term, without allowing sufficient time to procure the attendance of witnesses. 2. See facts showing sufficient cause for continuance or postponement of tlie trial of a case.