Lyles v. State

330 P.2d 734
CourtCourt of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma
DecidedOctober 1, 1958
DocketA-12595
StatusPublished
Cited by18 cases

This text of 330 P.2d 734 (Lyles v. State) 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
Lyles v. State, 330 P.2d 734 (Okla. Ct. App. 1958).

Opinions

BRETT, Presiding Judge.

The plaintiff in error, Edward Lee Lyles, defendant below, was charged by information in the District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, with the crime of burglary in the second degree after former conviction of a felony. He was tried by a jury, convicted, and the jury being unable [738]*738to agree on the punishment, left the same to be fixed by the trial court. The trial court assessed the punishment at fifteen years in the state penitentiary. Judgment and sentence were entered accordingly, from which this appeal has been perfected.

In presenting his appeal, the defendant makes numerous assignments of error but presents them in four propositions. First, he contends the trial court committed error in not granting a mistrial for the reason television cameras were permitted in the courtroom, and pictures taken in front of the jury panel were prejudicial to this defendant, and prevented him from having a fair trial. The evidence on this point consists only of proof that television pictures were taken while the court was not in session; that the jury had not been selected; that television pictures were taken during a five minute recess of the court; and that most of the pictures were made of the defendant, some while the jury panel was out of the room and some while it was present, or at least some members of the panel. Upon this showing the trial court overruled the defendant’s motion for a mistrial. The defendant objected to the taking of any further pictures and the trial court ordered that no further pictures be taken. The defendant asserts that the newspaper articles and the taking of television pictures gave great weight to the importance of the trial so that the defendant did not receive a fair and impartial trial, all in violation of his constitutional rights, as well as being contrary to Rule 35, Canons of Ethics as promulgated by the American Bar Association, which reads as follows :

“Canon 35. Improper Publicizing of Court Proceedings.
“Proceedings in court should be conducted with fitting dignity and decorum. The taking of photographs in the court room during sessions of the court or recesses between sessions, and the broadcasting of court proceedings are calculated to detract from the essential dignity of the proceedings, degrade the court and create misconceptions with respect thereto in the mind of the public and should not be permitted.
“Provided that this restriction shall not apply to the broadcasting or televising, under the supervision of the court, of such portions of naturalization proceedings (other than the interrogation of applicants) as are designed and carried out exclusively as a ceremony for the purpose of publicly demonstrating in an impressive manner the essential dignity and the serious nature of naturalization.”

The adoption of the canons of ethics by the courts did not give the canons force of law. They are nothing more than a system of principles of exemplary conduct and good character. They are recommended to the bench and bar as patterns which, if adhered to, will promote respect for the bar and better administration of justice. Deupree v. Garnett, Okl., 277 P.2d 168, 175. They are subject to modification to meet the condition of changing times in keeping with the constitutional rights of the people. In re Hearings Concerning Canon 35, Colo., 296 P.2d 465.

In light of the foregoing, the defendant asserts the trial court should have continued the case to a later term, or drawn a new jury panel. This was a matter within the sound discretion of the trial court which we do not find was abused.

In any event, the defendant urges this Court to pronounce a rule concerning courtroom photography in criminal cases in relation to modern media of communication to govern representatives of the press, radio, and televison. In this request he has been joined by the Oklahoma Television Association which has requested and been granted leave to appear herein amicus curiae. There is no precedent in Oklahoma by which to seek direction.

The issues presented on the defendant’s first proposition involve important concepts of constitutional law: It is thus apparent that there are certain basic rights involved herein, among which are freedom [739]*739of speech and freedom of the press. The right of freedom of speech need not be amplified and supported in this opinion. It suffices that the right may be freely exercised so long as it does not infringe upon or injure the rights of others. It is not an absolute, but rather a relative right. It has been aptly said the right of its exercise does not permit one to yell “fire” in a crowded theatre. Its abuse entails penalties of law provided therefor. But, it is like a twin sister to freedom of the press since they are both modes of communication and so closely allied that we hardly think of one without the other. Both are provided for in the United States Constitution, First Amendment, reading, in part as follows:

“Congress shall make no law * * abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; ■ * *

Article II, Section 22 of the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma provides:

“Every person may freely speak, write, or publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right; and no law shall be passed to restrain. or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press. * * ”

This right belongs to every person. It has been held, freedom of the press as guaranteed by the state and federal constitutions is not confined to newspapers and periodicals, but necessarily embraces pamphlets and leaflets, and contemplates not only the right to print but also the right to distribute. Emch v. City of Guymon, 75 Okl.Cr. 1, 127 P.2d 855. The logic behind this holding is tremendous. Therein it was held that the power to enact regulations may not be so employéd to abridge individual liberties secured by the constitution to those who wish to speak, write, print, or circulate information. Under our constitution, the right may be freely used so long as it is not improperly exercised. How can the right of all to gather and disseminate legitimate matter to the public be denied to one without doing violence to the right of all? A right that belongs to all cannot be denied to the few without risk of destruction of the right. No one will deny the long established right of the press in the United States to gather and disseminate news and information concerning every phase of human activity, together with the incidents appertaining thereto. This right makes the press the most potent servant of the people in protecting all rights against acts of tyranny, fraud, and corruption, as well as a- most prolific medium of information and education. Freedom of the press is the fulcrum by which the standards of the world have been lifted tO’ a higher level. Hence, we can understand why it has been many times held that these provisions of free press extend to broadcasting and television. Courts of the United States make no distinction between various methods of communication in sustaining freedom of the press. Burstyn, Inc., v. Wilson, 343 U.S. 495, 72 S.Ct. 777, 96 L.Ed. 1098; Public Utilities Comm. v. Pollak, 343 U.S. 451, 72 S.Ct. 813, 96 L.Ed. 1068; Wrather-Alvarez Broadcasting Co.

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Lyles v. State
330 P.2d 734 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma, 1958)

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Bluebook (online)
330 P.2d 734, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/lyles-v-state-oklacrimapp-1958.