Murphy v. District Court of the Eighth Judicial District

105 N.W. 728, 14 N.D. 542, 1905 N.D. LEXIS 87

Opinions

Young, J.

This is an application for a writ of certiorari on behalf of one J. S. Murphy, the defendant in State v. Murphy. On July 28, 1905, an information was filed in the district court of Wai'd county, charging the defendant with the crime of forgery in the third degree. On August ¶, 1905, the defendant moved for a change of place of trial, and for a change of judges to sit at the trial of the action. The motion was based upon the defendant’s affidavit, ¡which alleged in substance that he could not have a fair and impartial trial in Ward county because of the prejudice which made it impossible to obtain jurors who had not formed an opinion of the guilt or innocence of the defendant, and that the presiding judge was prejudiced and biased against the defendant. The motion was granted, and the place of trial was changed from Ward county, in -the Eighth judicial district, to Cass county, in the Third judicial district, and the judge of that district was designated as the judge to preside at the trial. The record shows that the defendant “obj ected and excepted to that portion of the order in which the place of trial is changed to Cass county, * * * it being 283 miles from the county seat of Ward county to the county seat of Cass county by the usual route of travel, and that there is no reason shown why a fair and impartial trial of said action cannot be had at any of the counties adjoining or -near to the said county of Ward, and that no reason is shown why the defendant should be put to the great and extraordinary expense of traveling, with his witnesses, 283 miles from his home to defend the action.” Thereafter, and on August 30, 1905, the defendant, upon his affidavit setting forth the facts and proceedings above stated, procured an order from a judge of this court, directing the presiding judge of the Eighth judicial district, commanding him to show cause before this court on September 30, 1905, “why an appropriate writ should not be issued from this court, requiring and commanding him to transmit to this court all the pleadings and. records, and all the records of the proceedings had in said criminal action that right and justice may be done therein.” On the return day a verified answer to the order to show cause was filed on behalf of the judge of the Eighth judicial district, which states the reasons for his action, and, among other things, contains a copy of the defendant’s affidavit upon which the order complained of was made. The hearing in this court upon the application for the writ prayed' for was upon the defendant’s moving affidavit and the verified answer. The question involved is whether the facts presented show that the presiding judge exceeded his jurisdiction in sending the case to Cass county. If they do, the writ should' be granted; otherwise, it must be denied. The consideration of this question will require a reference to the sections of the statute authorizing and regulating changes of place of trial and judges in criminal cases. So far as material, they are as follows (Rev. Codes 1899) :

Section 8110: “The defendant in a criminal action * * * may be awarded a change of the place of trial, upon his petition upon oath * * * that he has reason to believe, and does believe, and the facts upon which such belief is based, that he cannot receive a fair and impartial trial in the .county or judicial subdivision where said action is pending, upon any of the following grounds” — which are four in number: (1) Undue influence of the state’s attorney or person promoting the prosecution over the minds of the people of the county; (3) prejudice of the people against the defendant or the offense; (3) impossibility to obtain an impartial jury; (4) any other cause which would probably deprive the defendant of a fair trial. ■ ,

Section 8113: “The court being satisfied that cause exists therefor, as defined in section 8110, must order a change of the place of trial ito some county or judicial subdivision where the cause complained of does not exist. * * *”

Section 8130: “Whenever the defendant * * * shall file his affidavit stating that he lias good reason to believe and does believe that he cannot have a fair and impartial trial of such action on account of the prejudice of the judge of the district court in which said action is pending, the court shall thereafter proceed in said action as follows: (1) If the defendant * * * asks for a change of the place of trial of said action on any of the grounds specified in section 8110 of this Code [local prejudice], and also for the cause mentioned in this section [prejudice of the judge], it shall be the duty of the court to order said action moved for trial to some other county or judicial subdivision in this state, as provided in this article, and to request, arrange for and procure some other judge than the one objected to, to preside at the trial of said action; or (2) if a change is asked for only on account of the cause mentioned in this section [prejudice of the judge] the court in which said order is pending may order said action removed to a county or judicial subdivision in an adjoining judicial district in which it can .be conveniently and expeditiously tried before another judge, or may request, arrange for and procure the judge of another judicial subdivision to preside at the trial in the county or judicial subdivision in which the action is pending * * *”

It will be observed that when a change of place of trial is made because of local prejudice, under section 8110, supra, or because of local prejudice and the prejudice of the presiding judge combined, as in this case, under subdivision 1 of section 8120, the presiding judge is not restricted as to the county or judicial district to which he may send' it. Subdivision 1 of section 8120 states that “it shall be the duty of the court to order said action removed for trial to some other county or judicial subdivision in this state, as provided in this article, and to arrange for and procure some other judge than the one objected to, to preside at the trial of said action;” and section 8112 provides that, when the court is satisfied that the cause authorizing the change under section 8110 (local prejudice) exists, it “must order a change of the place of trial to some county or judicial subdivision where the cause complained of does not exist.” Subdivision 2 of section 8120, supra, relates solely to the court’s duty when the affidavit of prejudice is directed to the presiding judge alone. The court may, in such cases, call in another judge, or send the case to some county in “an adjoining district,” where it can be “conveniently and expeditiously tried before another judge.” Where a case is sent to another county under this subdivision (prejudice of the judge), it is purely for convenience, and this fact amply justifies the provisions limiting the change to a county in an adjoining district. Where, however, the change is for local prejudice, the statute places no limitation upon the court’s action further than the requirement to select a county “where the cause complained of does not exist.”

The statutes of most of the states require that in ordering a change the case must be sent to an adjoining county or judicial district, or to the nearest or most convenient county free from objection. See 4 Enc. PL & Pr. 458. It is needless to- say that, when such restrictions are imposed, they must be observed. Our statute, however, contains no such restrictions. The matter of fixing the place of trial, when the change is for local prejudice, is left to- the presiding judge. The only requirement imposed by the statute is that it must be sent to a county or judicial subdivision “where the cause complained of does not exist.” The selection of the county is left to the discretion of the presiding judge. He may select one county in preference to another county, and may prefer one j udicial district to another, so long as he does not .exceed his legal discretion. This, we understand, is conceded by counsel for defendant. Their contention is — and this presents the only question in the case — that the presiding judge abused or exceeded his discretion in sending the case to -Cass county, and that the record should therefore be sent up- to the end that he may be required to select some county nearer to Ward county. In our opinion, the facts presented afford no warrant for such interference on the part of this court. The duty of selecting a county free from prejudice is cast upon the presiding judge, and this means, of course, a county where the trial will be fair, both to the state and to- the defendant. Ex parte Hodgson, 59 Ala. 305. The defendant is given the right to secure a change on account of local prejudice, but the power to select the county to which the action shall be sent is not given to him. Neither is it given to this court. It is given to the presiding judge, and is peculiarly within his discretion.

The question, therefore, is, not what -county would the defendant select, mor what choice would our discretion dictate, but is whether or not the presiding judge exceeded the discretion committed to him in sending the case to Cass county. The superintending control over inferior courts- — that is, the power to keep them “within bounds” — -which is vested in this court by the state constitution, ■does mot authorize us to substitute our discretion for that of the tribunals whose acts we superintend. This was well expressed by the Supreme Court of Michigan in T. & W. Co. v. Circuit Judge, 75 Mich. 360, 371, 42 N. W. 968, in which- that -court said: “It is true that the constitution has given this court a general superintending -control over -all inferior courts, but in the exercise of this jurisdiction it -has never been claimed that this court can substitute its discretion for that of the inferior tribunal, and compel it to .exercise 'and enforce our discretion and not theirs.” It is true the discretion of the presiding judge is a judicial and not a personal one, “yet, it being a discretion created and confided by the law, it will not be revised by this court, in the absence of any showing 'that it has been abused to the prejudice of the defendant” Bohannon v. State, 14 Tex. App. 271, 302, and cases cited. The presumption is that the discretion of the trial judge was properly exercised, and, “no matter from what source the court gets information to aid its discretion, when exercised, it must be regarded as properly 'done in the interest of justice.” Coal Co. v. Coal Co., 64 Md. 302, 305, 1 Atl. 878; State v. Coleman, 8 S. C. 237; Grooms v. State, 40 Tex. Cr. R. 327, 50 S. W. 370; Cox v. State, 8 Tex. App. 254, 283, 34 Am. Rep. 746; Simmons v. St. Paul & C. Ry. Co., 18 Minn. 184 (Gil. 168). And the court’s action will not be revised, unless it is clearly apparent that it has exceeded its legal discretion and authority (Bohannon v. State, supra; Cox v. State, supra), and unless it is shown that the defendant has been prejudiced thereby (Frizzell v. State, 30 Tex. App. 42-54, 16 S. W. 751). In addition to the foregoing, for cases in point, see State v. Elkins, 63 Mo. 159; Preston v. State, 4 Tex. App. 186, 192; also, Bradley v. Cramer, 61 Wis. 572, 21 N. W. 519; Miller v. T. W. & W. Ry. Co., 33 Ind. 535; Cromie v. Hoover, 40 Ind. 49; Greer v. Whitfield, 4 Lea (Tenn.) 85.

Tested by the foregoing rules, which are well settled, the majority of this court are of opinion that the defendant has not shown adequate cause for the exercise of our superintending jurisdiction. It is admitted that Cass county is free from the prejudice from which the defendant wished to escape when he applied fpr a change of venue, and it is not claimed nor suggested that the judge of the Third judicial district is in any respect prejudiced. The purpose for which the change was taken .concededly has been accomplished by -the selection of a county “where the cause complained of does not exist.” The only objections- urged against the court’s action are (1) that it has not been shown “why a fair and impartial trial cannot be had at any of the counties adjoining or near to Ward county;” and (-2) the additional expense which the -defendant will incur traveling with 'his witnesses to 'Cass county.

The first objection is perhaps sufficiently answered by the mere statement that the presiding judge, who was charged with the duty of selecting a place of trial, selected 'Cass county, and the further fact that the court was not limited by the constitution or by .statute — and this is not disputed — to the selection of a county near to or adjoining the county where the action is pending. The presumption, as we have seen, is in favor of his action, and it has not been shown by the defendant who assails the order that a fair, impartial, and speedy trial could’ have been had in any of the intervening counties or judicial districts. Then, too, it appeal’s from the defendant’s affidavit in support of his application for a change, as well as the answer of the presiding judge, that lie did not exceed his legal discretion in selecting a remote county. The prejudice against the defendant is alleged by him to be exceedingly bitter, and to be both personal and political, and to exist both within and without Ward county. His affidavit states, among other things, that for twelve years last past he has taken a prominent part in political affairs, and that during this time the feeling in Ward county has been very bitter, and that he was, because of his prominence in such affairs, and because of his leadership in the campaign of 1904 of one of the political factions into which that county is divided, been subjected to. much personal abuse and vilification; that this prosecution- is primarily to subserve political purposes and nothing else, and is being pushed vigorously by the political enemies of this defendant, both within and without Ward county; that the state’s attorney is a bitter political enemy of the defendant; that this is true of the sheriff of the county and his chief deputy; that a majority of the county commissioners are bitter personal and political enemies of the defendant; that many of the township supervisors belong to the opposing faction, and they, with the county commissioners, have, in selecting names to fill the jury list, sent in only those who are his personal and political enemies — and to this general arraignment is added the allegation that the presiding judge of the district is prejudiced against him.

It will be seen that this affidavit presents a case of more than mere local prejudice. The prejudice of which the defendant complains is both personal and political, one growing entirely out of his political leadership, existing within and without Ward county, and of a more violent character; and' he -charges that this prosecution is purely for political purposes. That a bitter factional difference exists in Ward county, which involves the personal character and reputation of this defendant, is admitted' by the answer; and it is also admitted that practically the same condition exists in all of the counties of the Eighth judicial district, in which Ward county is situated. It is apparent that the conditions which produce the prejudice of which the defendant complains are not confined by county lines, and their extent cannot be measured by miles. The presiding judge owed a duty to the defendant, and, indeed, was required to send the case to a county where the cause complained of does not exist. Instead of selecting a county near to or adjoining Ward county, he selected a remote county, and that it would have been an improper exercise of discretion to have selected any county in the Eighth judicial district is frankly conceded' by defendant’s counsel, and it is not claimed in this court that any of the adjoining counties could have been properly selected. The adjoining counties in the Eighth judicial district are confessedly objectionable for the same reason that Ward is, and the adjoining counties on the south, apparently otherwise unobjectionable, are eliminated solely on the ground of inconvenience. It may be that some county might have been selected nearer to Ward, or some county between Ward and Cass county, which would be free from prejudice, but this does not show that in selecting Cass county the presiding judge exceeded his legal discretion. It shows, rather, that he exercised his discretion on the side of safety and in favor of the defendant in securing a fair trial by avoiding with certainty the bitter personal and political prejudice of which he complained.

Of the .several reasons stated in the answer for the selection of Cass county in preference to other counties or judicial districts, we shall refer only to the following: It is alleged that: “Upon the motion for a change of place of trial being made by the defendant in said information, it was urged by counsel for said defendant that they were anxious for a speedy trial and disposition of said cause, and that the district court of said Ward county and tire judge thereof regarded it as proper to change the place of trial to such county as would insure an expeditious trial upon said information; that at the time of making said order, changing • the place of trial of said cause to Cass county in the Third judicial district, a term of the district court of said Cass county was then just opening, at which term it 'appeared to said district court of Ward county the issue upon said information could be tried, thus insuring a fair and expeditious trial of said cause; that at the. time of making said' motion for 'change of place of trial no presentation of facts was made by the defendant or his counsel with reference to the number of his witnesses or the probable additional expense which might be imposed upon the defendant by any change of ■the place of trial, and that no showing has yet been made upon that point, the only intimation of any objections to the change as made being made in the oral comments of counsel after the order of the district court of said Ward county had been made, and iti the course of stating exceptions to such order; that the order changing the place of trial upon said information was made * * * solely with the view of securing to said defendant a perfectly fair and impartial trial of the issues in said action, and the place of trial was so1 changed to said Cass county in the honest belief on the part of the court making said order that thereby all fear of local prejudice, or the interference by local officials or other persons, would be avoided and prevented; that in making the order changing the place of trial as aforesaid, the district court of Ward county aimed at the exercise of fair and honest discretion, believing that in making such change it was the duty of said court to protect the interests of the state as well as of the defendant, and by its order to insure that the trial be 'had in such county as would be removed from undue influence either for or against said defendant.”

It was important tirat the court, in selecting the place of trial, should take into consideration the defendant’s request for a speedy trial as well as a fair and impartial trial. It was important to the state as well as to the defendant. The defendant urged his desire for a speedy trial, and in doing so he was asserting a constitutional right. Section 13, state constitution. In deciding where such a trial could be had it must, we think, be admitted that one county could be preferable to another in the same judicial district, or one judicial district to another, for the purpose of securing it. The presiding judge was in a position to know of the conditions in the other counties and judicial district. A speedy trial was assured in Cass county, and it is not shown or claimed that as .speedy a trial could have 'been had elsewhere. This reason alone, in the 'Opinion of the majority, shows that ithe presiding judge did' not abuse his discretion.

Tire objection based upon the expense added by the change to Cass county, whatever it may be, does not merit serious consideration. The defendant deliberately elected to forego' a trial by a jury of the vicinage because of the alleged prejudice against him, and thus cast upon the presiding judge the duty of selecting some other county free from complaint. He voluntarily chose to bear the additional inconvenience and expense which would result from a trial away from his 'home. That the- actual expense of making his defense in Cass county may be greater than if the trial w-as had in a nearer county is probably true. The defendant did not advise the trial -court, nor has he advised this court, of the probable extent of the additional -expense. This was a matter which, among other things, it was proper for the presiding judge to take into consideration, but, as compared with the necessity of securing a fair, impartial and- speedy trial, it is of minor importance. It is not claimed that the -defendant is unable to bear the additional expense, or that he is financially unable to make his defense inCass -county, because of the expense of securing witnesses; and, if that were urged, it could not be sustained, for the legislature has made provisions for the payment of fees of witnesses by the county in- such cases. Section 8408, Rev. 'Codes. It is apparent, and indeed- it is not claimed otherwise, that the defendant will not be deprived of 'any legitimate means of defense because of -the additional -expense, or because of the change to Cass county, and the objection cannot therefore prevail against the change which secures a fair and speedy trial. That mere additional expense will not prevail against a change to a county not adjoining see People v. Baker, 3 Parker, Cr. R. (N. Y.) 181, 197. It is conceded in this case that by the order of which complaint is made the defendant was assured of a fair and impartial trial, and by an unprejudiced judge. This is what the defendant prayed for in filing his application for a change. He also demanded a -speedy -trial. That, too, was granted, and it is not claimed that a speedi-er trial could have been had elsewhere. Whatever additional expense or inconvenience may be added because of the change are merely incidents voluntarily assumed by the defendant in applying for th-e change, and can be given 'but little weight as against the -court’s action in selecting a county where it is admitted a fair and speedy trial will be had. As previously stated, the selection of the county was a matter for judicial discretion. The objection that an adjoining county was not selected is confessedly without merit, and this is shown to be true as to the objection based upon additional expense. No other objections were urged to the selection of Cass county. In the opinion of the majority of the court it is not shown that the presiding judge exceeded h-is discretion in making the order complained of.

It follows, therefore, that the application for the writ must be denied, and the temporary restraining order dissolved; and it is so ordered.

Morgan, C. J., concurs.