People Ex Rel. Brinkman v. Barr

161 N.E. 444, 248 N.Y. 126, 1928 N.Y. LEXIS 1234

• Court: New York Court of Appeals
• Decided: May 1, 1928
• Status: Published

Opinion

Andrews, J.

Where the defendant, charged with crime, has once been placed in jeopardy, he may not again be tried for the same offense. Of his right to this defense upon his second trial he may not be deprived. (People v. McGrath, 202 N. Y. 445.) Even, if he may not always bring up the matter by a plea (Code Crim. Pro. sec. 332) an objection on the record, or a proper motion which raises the issue is sufficient.

If it appears that his trial having once begun, the jury has been improperly discharged before rendering their verdict, the defendant has been put in» jeopardy. Under such circumstances there is in effect an acquittal. “ If there is no authority to again place the defendant upon trial upon the indictment, there is no right to restrain him of his liberty.” (People ex rel. Stabile v. Warden, etc., 202 N. Y. 138.) If thereafter the defendant is unlawfully in custody with no right to appeal from the mandate under which he is confined, he may, if he so chooses, seek a remedy by means of the writ of habeas corpus. There is no reason why, entitled to freedom, he should be imprisoned, until his case is again moved for trial. And this is so whether the discharge occurred before or after the case is submitted to the jury for decision. True in the one case, upon proper reason, a mistrial may be declared in the sound discretion of the presiding judge; in the other only as permitted by the statute. (Code Crim. Pro. sec. 428.) But in both unless the discharge is proper, there has been jeopardy. In both there is the equivalent of an acquittal. We see no ground for the distinction made in People v. Montlake (184 App. Div. 578). People ex rel. Bullock v. Hayes (215 N. Y. 172) indicates a more liberal rule. If the uncontradicted facts show that the defendant is entitled to be. released as a matter of law, then the writ may be granted. Such was the Stabile case. But they may not. There may be question as to the facts. The defendant’s rights may be properly protected by a motion on the second trial. Other reasons may exist. The writ is an alternative remedy and in the exercise of discretion may be refused.

In the case at bar we are relieved of certain of these considerations.' The trial of the defendant began before Judge Nott presiding over the Court of General Sessions. Before it was finished Judge Nott fell ill. Because of this fact various adjournments were had. Finally on Monday, January 24, Judge Rosalsky was presiding. It was announced that the illness continued and that Judge Nott might or might not be able to return a week later. Thereupon a mistrial was declared, it being stated that it was done at Judge Nott’s request. It was also said that if the defendant so desired witnesses would be called to prove the illness. This offer was not accepted. The defendant did not dispute the fact as stated.

Concededly if Judge Nott had appeared in person and ordered a mistrial under the circumstances his act would have been unobjectionable. It is said, however, that Judge Rosalsky had no authority to act in his place. We hold otherwise. It would be intolerable that where a judge dies or is too ill to appear in court a mistrial of criminal cases pending before him may not be declared by another judge of the same court.

If this be so, upon the uncontradicted facts the relator was not entitled to be discharged, although he had the right to test the question by habeas corpus. The order appealed from should be affirmed.

Cabdozo, Ch. J., Pound, Cbane, Lehman, Kellogg and O’Bbien, JJ., concur.

Order affirmed.