In Re Opinion of the Judges

1940 OK CR 92, 104 P.2d 726, 70 Okla. Crim. 83, 1940 Okla. Crim. App. LEXIS 64
CourtCourt of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma
DecidedJuly 25, 1940
DocketNo. A-9902.
StatusPublished
Cited by10 cases

This text of 1940 OK CR 92 (In Re Opinion of the Judges) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In Re Opinion of the Judges, 1940 OK CR 92, 104 P.2d 726, 70 Okla. Crim. 83, 1940 Okla. Crim. App. LEXIS 64 (Okla. Ct. App. 1940).

Opinion

*85 DOYLE, P. J.

It appears from the record submitted, that on May 17, 1940, a complaint was filed in the county court of Garvin county, charging J. D. Tuggle with the murder of one Sadie Jones, in said county on the 10th day of May; and on the same day the defendant, J. D. Tuggle, was by information filed in the district court of Garvin county, on May 17, 1940, charged with the murder of one Sadie Jones, alleged to have been committed in said county on the 10th day of May, 1940, by striking the said Sadie Jones with an axe handle, thereby inflicting mortal wounds, of which mortal wounds so inflicted said Sadie Jones did on said day die.

It also appears from the record that on May 20, 1940, a complaint was filed in the county court of Garvin county, charging J. D. Tuggle with the murder of one D. Wilburn Jones, in said county on the 10th day of May; on the same day said defendant, J. D. Tuggle, was, by information filed in the district court of said county, charged with the murder of one D. Wilburn Jones, alleged to have been committed in said county on the 10th day of May, 1940, by striking said D. Wilburn Jones with an ax handle, thereby inflicting certain mortal wounds of which wounds so inflicted said D. Wilburn Jones did on the 17th day of May, 1940, die.

It further appears from the record before us that on May 17th the defendant upon arraignment in the first case *86 asked the court to appoint counsel to represent him, and tbe court appointed McCaughey, Ewart and Bowie as defense attorneys, and the case was continued until May 20th, at which time counsel appointed by the court to1 represent the defendant asked leave to withdraw, which was granted.

The defendant was then arraigned upon the second information, and the court stated:

“You are entitled in this case, as I explained to you in the other case the other day to- a lawyer at every stage of these proceedings. It was said then you were unable to hire a lawyer, you of course wanted the court to appoint you a lawyer.”

The defendant:

“Judge, I would like to ask the court a question, if possible. In the event that I would plead guilty to- both charges, will the court accept responsibility of sentencing me without the trial?”

Thereupon the defendant was fully advised by the court of his constitutional and statutory rights and the consequences of a plea of guilty, and concluded by stating:

“I will appoint another lawyer in this case if you want one.”

The defendant stated:

“In the event that I make by own plea here, when can I enter a plea in this other case?”

The court:

“You can — Time has been set at 2 o’clock this afternoon for your time to- plead in the other case. You can enter your plea in both cases now if you like.”

The defendant answered:

“I would like to enter a plea of guilty in both cases and I will accept the fate.”

*87 Tbe court:

“You understand that in entering your plea of guilty in these cases that you are waiving your right to an attorney, do you?”
“You understand further that you are waiving your right in each case to a trial by jury?”

To which the defendant answered:

“Yes, however, your honor, I would like to say before the court or have the statement read before the court that I signed for the county attorney as a reason for this, and maybe that, even though I go to the electric chair, maybe this will prevent something of this kind from happening again. The Court: How old did you say you were? A. I am 21. Q. Are you an orphan boy? A. No, sir. Q. Where do your parents live? A. My mother lives in McAlester and my father over near Homer schoolhouse in Pontotoc county. Q. How long have they been separated? A. Ever since I was two- and a half years old. Q. By whom were you reared? A. By my mother and stepfather.”

His examination by the court concluded as follows:

“All of these things in view now, what is your idea with reference to the case that we now have up for consideration, do you still want to waive the appointment of a lawyer? A. Yes, sir. The Court: The information having been read to you, you are ready at this time tO' enter your plea or do you want to’ wait 24 hours? A. I am ready at this time. The Court: I have explained you have a right to a jury trial, if you plead not guilty. If you plead guilty, it will be the court’s duty to sentence you either to life imprisonment or to death in the electric chair. What is your plea? A. Guilty as charged. The Court: All right, I will accept your plea of guilty. Let me say just this. The time has passed now for you to1 enter your plea in the other case, and that is the case where I appointed Mr. Moody and Mr. Bowie.and Mr. Ewart to defend you. Don’t let the fact that these attorneys have withdrawn prejudice your mind with respect to the idea of whether or not this court will see that you get a fair trial.”

*88 And continuing, repeated the advice given to' the defendant as to his constitutional and statutory rights, concluding as follows:

“Now with that statement in mind, will yon prefer that I appoint you other counsel or do you want to represent yourself? I am just trying to help you. The defendant: Yes, sir. I appreciate that, but I believe I would rather plead guilty to' both charges and waive everything. The Court: In the case wherein you are charged with the murder of Sadie Jones, you want to waive the right of appointment of an attorney? A. Yes, sir. Q. You have heretofore been given 24 hours time in which to plead, and you are now here for arraignment. At this time you may enter your plea of guilty or not guilty, in the light of the information and advice I have given you about your constitutional rights. If you plead guilty, it will be my duty to pass sentence on you, as I indicated a few minutes ago. If you plead not guilty, you will be entitled to a trial by jury and it will be my duty to see that you have a fair and impartial trial. Are you ready to enter your plea at this time? A. Yes, sir. Q. Is your plea guilty or not guilty? A. Guilty as charged. The Court: I will accept your plea of guilty. The Court: Do you know of any reason that sentence should not be passed upon you at this time? A. None, other than the fact that I would like a chance to, as I stated before, state a possible reason for this act of violence that I have committed. The Court: You want to1 do that before sentence is passed upon you? A. Yes, sir. If the court does not grant me that privilege, I am ready to receive my sentence. The Court: I am going to' grant your request. I will hear your statement.”

The transcript of the defendant’s statement covers 14 pages of the record.

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1994 OK CR 12 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma, 1994)
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1948 OK CR 83 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma, 1948)
Waters v. State
1948 OK CR 76 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma, 1948)
Norman v. State
1945 OK CR 71 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma, 1945)
Jenkins v. State
1945 OK CR 68 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma, 1945)
Frazee v. State
1944 OK CR 81 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma, 1944)
In Re Burgin
1942 OK CR 51 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma, 1942)
Tuggle v. State
1941 OK CR 164 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma, 1941)

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Bluebook (online)
1940 OK CR 92, 104 P.2d 726, 70 Okla. Crim. 83, 1940 Okla. Crim. App. LEXIS 64, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-opinion-of-the-judges-oklacrimapp-1940.