State v. Hays

4 La. Ann. 59

• Court: Supreme Court of Louisiana
• Decided: January 15, 1849
• Status: Published

Opinion

The judgment of the court was pronounced by

Kino, J.

Flays was arrested and taken before a justice of the peace, on an affidavit made that he had killed onAinsworth. The justice considered that the evidence established the commission of the crime of murder, notwithstanding which he admitted the accused to bail, in the sum of $5,000.

An indictment for murder was subsequently found against the accused, who failed to appear and answer to the charge. The district attorney thereupon ■moved for a judgment against the surely on the-bond, which motion was opposed on the ground that the justice was without authority to admit the accused to trial. The objection was sustained, and the State has appealed.

In the case ef the State v. Hooper, 3 An. R. 598, we had occasion to examine into the powers of justices of the peace to admit parties to bail; aud held, -in conformity with the decision in the case of the State v. Hebert, 10 Rob. 41, that they were incompetent to grant bail when the offence was punishable with death or imprisonment at hard labor for seven years or -more, and that bonds taken by them inSrch cases for the appearance of parties accused were void, being in contravention of a prohibitive law. See Act of 3d May, 1805; Bul. & Cur. Dig. 529. Act of 31st March, 1807; Bui. & Cur. Dig, 530. Sess. Acts, p. 448, § 43. Judgment affirmed.