State v. Graves

112 S.E.2d 85, 251 N.C. 550, 1960 N.C. LEXIS 548

• Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
• Decided: January 14, 1960
• Docket: 722
• Status: Published

Opinion

Moore, J.

Petitioners maintain that in their arrest, imprisonment and trial at the December 1958 term of Alamance County they were denied certain fundamental rights .secured to them by Article I, sections 11 and 17 of the Constitution of North Carolina and as a con sequence they have been deprived of their liberties without due process of law.

Petitioners invoked the North Carolina Post Conviction Hearing Act, Chapter 15, Article 22, General Statutes of North Carolina, sections 15-217 et seq. This Act is not a substitute for appeal. Accused had unqualified right to appeal. G.S. 15-180. The Act affords an opportunity to inquire into the constitutional integrity of a petitioner’s conviction. State v. Cruse, 238 N.C. 53, 58, 76 S.E. 2d 320. The inquiry is whether there was a substantial denial of the constitutional rights of petitioners in the original criminal action in which they were convicted and whether a different result would likely have ensued bad petitioners not been denied such rights. State v. Hackney, 240 N.C. 230, 237, 81 S.E. 2d 778; Miller v. State, 237 N.C. 29, 51, 74 S.E. 2d 513. The petitioners have the burden of showing the affirmative of these propositions. State v. Hackney, supra, at page 237.

The findings of fact of the Judge in a Post Conviction hearing are binding upon the petitioner if they are supported by evidence. Miller v. State, supra, at page 43. In the instant case the facts as found by the Judge are supported by evidence. But there are certain significant undisputed facts, not included in the Judge’s findings, which we take to be trae and consider in connection with the facts found. State v. Hackney, supra, at page 234.

The arresting officer testified that he informed Snipes’ family at the time of the arrest that he was investigating a robbery and told Graves’ wife, “I am taking him off and if he wasn’t charged with anything I would bring him .back.” The officer also testified that ■as soon as petitioners were identified by the prosecuting witness they were placed; in jail, no warrant was issued and bail was not fixed, that petitioners inquired about bail and he told them it would be about 15000.00 and thereafter neither of them asked that bail be fixed. He testified further that he advised petitioners of the charges against them and booked them for “robbery and assault.” On Monday he interrogated Graves with the -purpose of implicating a third party. He also stated that prosecuting witness, at his request, came to the jail Tuesday morning and looked at petitioners in a line-up.

R. A. McCauley, the prosecuting witness, testified that he went to the jail Tuesday morning about 10:00 o’clock and ©aw petitioners in a line-up. He stated: “I just wanted to see them again. I asked when the trial would be and they said they didn’t know. ... I didn’t know when the trial would be.” He further stated that petitioners were in separate cells when he went to the jail and that he testified before the grand jury about 11:00 or 11:30 after he had been to the j ail.

Lou Pearl Graves, wife of petitioner Graves, testified that after her husband did not return home Sunday night she went tp the j ail Mondiay morning and inquired of him and asked to be permitted to see him, that she talked to Mr. Hensley, the jailer, that Mr. Hensley told her that Graves was charged with “attempted highway robbery and assault with a deadly weapon” and that his bond would probably be $10,000.00, that Wednesday was visiting day and she couldi see him on that day between 2:00 and 4:00 p. m. She stated that she phoned the jail on Tuesday and Wednesday and .on Wednesday was told that her husband had already been tried. She testified she could have arranged bond if it had been fixed and could have employed an attorney but did not employ a lawyer immediately for she thought “they would sooner or later give him bond.” Mr. Hensley, when asked about her visit to the jail, stated: “I don’t recall it.” He was then asked: “But you don’t deny it?” He 'answered: “No.” He stated that the visiting hours at that time were from 2:00 to 4:00 o’clock on Sundays and Wednesdays, but persons having business with prisoners could see them on other days.

Graves’ sister-in-law worked for Sheriff Cole. The Sheriff testified that he did not tell her Graves was in jail until Tuesday when she made inquiiy, stating she had heard that he was in jail the night before.

Both petitioners testified that when they were taken from the jail Tuesday afternoon and carried to the courtroom they thought they were to be given a preliminary hearing until the Solicitor read the 'bill of 'indictment and asked them to plead. There is no evidence that •anyone told -the petitioners or any members of their families before the trial when the trial was to be or that there would be a trial at the term then in progress. There is nothing to indicate that the officers or the prosecuting witness knew when the trial was to be.

While the jailer was testifying the following exchange took place between him and the Solicitor:

“Q. I will ask you if it isn’t customary every term of court to try every person who is in jail if possible?

“A. Yes.

“Q. And you are worrying me from Monday morning until Friday to get these people out of j ail and that is what I do?

“A. Yes.

“Q. That has been the practice ever since you have been here and I have been here?

“A. Yes, that has been the practice, and it has been appreciated.”

Snipes testified: “I told the Judge I didn’t know what I was being tried for, no warrant was read to me, and -he said they didn’t have to serve no warrant, that they were trying me under a bill of indictment.” At the hearing before Judge McKinnon each of the petitioners named witnesses who would have testified in their behalf andi given evidence tending to prove alibis. Snipes testified that he had wanted' to call his boss to get bail for him. Graves testified that he told the officer 'he was at home when the alleged crime was committed. He also stated that at the trial “I told them I did not have a chance to notify, either get an attorney or notify my people, or nothing.”

Neither of the petitioners was represented by counsel at the trial, none of their relatives were present and they had no witnesses.

A careful consideration of the foregoing undisputed facts in connection with the facts found by the court leads to several inescapable conclusions. The families and relatives of. petitioners at the time of the arrests were fully justified in concluding that petitioners had been taken into custody for investigation. And it certainly is not unusual for an investigation to last two days. When Graves’ wife was refused the right to see him on Monday and was told; to return at visiting hours on Wednesday, she had every reason to believe he would be there at that time and to delay action in his behalf until she had opportunity to talk to him. There was every reason for petitioners to suppose up to the moment of their trial that the investigation had not been completed. Graves was interrogated on Monday with reference to the participation of a third party in the alleged offense. He and Snipes were placed in a line-up on Tuesday morning to be again viewed by the prosecuting witness. The prosecuting witness himself, even then, about three and one-half hours before the trial, did not kniow when the trial would be. No one ever advised the petitioners they were to be tried Tuesday afternoon. No warrants had been issued, no preliminary hearing had been held, no bail fixed. They had requested opportunity to use the telephone, but no such opportunity had been afforded. They may well have supposed -that they would not be permitted to communicate with friends and relatives until the investigation had been completed. Graves knew, from his interrogation by the arresting officer, that the officer was attempting to involve others. That petitioners were taken unawares when hastily placed upon trial Tuesday afternoon cannot be doubted. Had they been notified of the impending trial they, at least, would have known the urgency of securing attendance of witnesses and employing counsel. But in view of the circumstances, their failure to act in this respect cannot be considered against them. They -had every reason to suppose there was ample time to- prepare for trial.

It is the law in this State that “Every person arrested without warrant shall be either immediately -taken before some magistrate having jurisdiction to issue a warrant in the case, or else committed to the county prison, and, as soon as may -be, taken -before such magistrate, who, on proper proof, shall issue a warrant -and thereon proceed to act -as may be required by law.” G.S. 15-46. Andi G.S. 15-47 provides that “Upon the arrest, detention, or deprivation of the liberties -of -any person by -an officer in this State, with or without warrant, it shall be the duty of the officer making the arrest to immediately inform the person arrested of the charge against him, and it -shall further be the duty of the officer making said arrest, except in capital cases, to have -bail fixed in a reasonable sum, and the person -so arrested shall be permitted to give bail bond; and. it shall be the duty of the officer making the -arrest to permit the person so arrested to communicate with counsel and friends immediately, and the right of such persons to communicate with counsel and friends shall not be denied. Provided that in no -event shall the prisoner be kept in custody for a longer period than twelve hours without a warrant. Any -officer who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined or imprisoned, or both, in the discretion of the court.”

While there are circumstances under which -a failure to observe the foregoing provisions may not affect constitutional rights, yet where an offense as -serious as robbery with firearms is charged, such failure must be given great weight in -a hearing under the Post Conviction Hearing Act. It is true that -a preliminary hearing is not an essential prerequisite to the finding of an indictment and our Constitution does not require it. But “in -all criminal prosecutions, every person charged with crime has the right to be informed of the accusation -and to confront accusers and witnesses with other testimony . . .” North Carolina Constitution, Article I, section 11. Of this right of confrontation he cannot lawfully be deprived, and this includes the right of a fair opportunity to confront the accusers -and witnesses with other testimony. “The word confront secures to the accused the right to have his witnesses in court, and to examine them in his behalf. ... It further secures to the accused -a fair opportunity to prep-are and present -his defense, which right must be afforded him not only in form but in substance.” State v. Hackey, supra, at page 235. “Denial of an opportunity to exercise a right is a denial of the right . . . Due process of law implies the right -and opportunity to be heard and to prepare for the hearing.” Failure to complain at the time of arraignment in court is not a waiver of these rights. State v. Wheeler, 249 N.C. 187, 193, 105 S.E. 2d 615.

Under the circumstances in the instant case we hold that petitioners' were denied their constitutional right of confrontation, the fair opportunity to ’ prepare and present their defense. It is observed that these petitioners were tried on the second day of the term. It could have inconvenienced the court very little to have inquired as to their readiness for trial at the time of arraignment and set the case for- a time later in the term. There is considerable dioubt that petitioners were properly advised of the 'charges against them prior to the trial. There is considerable difference between “robbery and assault” or “attempted highway robbery and assault with a deadly weapon” and robbery with firearms. The failure of petitioners to testify at the trial is understandable. Each of them had criminal records. They undoubtedly thought it best to remain off the witness stand and thereby avoid the effect of having their records considered against them by the jury. This emphasizes all the more the importance to them of having the benefit of the testimony of their witnesses.

We do not -suggest that an accused may be less than diligent in his own behalf in preparing for trial. He may not place the burden on the officers of the law and the court to see -that he procures the attendance of witnesses and makes preparation for his defense. But the officers and court have a duty to see that he -has opportunity for so doing. Where, as here, defendants have no notice that trial is imminent and all the circumstances indicate that the case has not progressed beyond the investigation stage and they and their families, relatives -and friends have been given no oportunity to communicate and confer, and defendants have had no opportunity to confer privately with each other as to what each may be able to contribute to the defense, until a -short time before, the unexpected trial, and available witnesses have not been subpoenaed, trial under these circumstances is a deprivation of due process of law.

There has -been no suggestion that the law enforcement officers, the court or court officials have acted in bad faith or have at any time had intent to deprive petitioners of their -constitutional rights. Indeed, the distinguished and able Judge and Solicitor who officiated at the trial are well known for their zeal for justice and fair administration of the law and they are to be commended--for strict -attention to duty and prompt disposition of pending causes. But a deprivation of fundamental constitutional rights is none the less serious that it occurred through inadvertence rather than wrongful purpose.

There is no rule of law that an accused may not be tried at the same term the bill of indictment is found. Capital cases are, under certain circumstances, an exception. G.S. 15-4.1. State v. Hackey, supra, at page 235. But the more speedily a case is brought to trial, after the offense is committed or arrest is made, the greater the duty of the courts to determine whether or not the accused has had a fair opportunity to prepare for trial.

There :may well be a different result upon a retrial.

The order in the Post Conviction hearing is reversed, the judgments in the original trial are vacated and a new trial is ordered.

New trial.