State v. . Hedgebeth

45 S.E.2d 563, 228 N.C. 259, 1947 N.C. LEXIS 343

• Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
• Decided: December 10, 1947
• Status: Published

Opinion

Devin, J.

Tbe defendant Hedgebeth asks us to review tbe judgment below, assigning as grounds for relief that in tbe trial in tbe Superior Court of Washington County bis constitutional rights were violated and due process of law denied him, in that be was without counsel, that be was not aware or informed of bis rights, and that be was put upon bis trial for the alleged commission of a serious felony within too short a time after bis arrest. .He alleges bis innocence of tbe crime charged against him.

From tbe findings of fact made by tbe Judge who beard tbe defendant’s motion below, based upon tbe averments in bis petition and tbe oral evidence beard, upon which defendant’s motion was denied, it sufficiently appears that on 28 December, 1946, defendant Hedgebeth and one Andrew Cbesson were arrested charged with assault with deadly weapon and robbery of a sum of money from the person of Delmer Wilkins, and that on 31 December, 1946, these two defendants were tried in tbe Becorder’s Court of Washington County, and probable cause having been found, were placed under bond for their appearance at the next term of the Superior Court of the county. The required bond of $500 was not given and the defendants remained in jail. The next term of the Superior Court began 6 January, 1947. At this term bill of indictment in due form charging the defendants with the felony of robbery was returned by the grand jury a true bill, and during the term the case was called for trial. Each defendant pleaded not guilty. Inquiry was made of them by the presiding Judge Erizzelle if they had counsel, to which they answered in the negative. No counsel was assigned, nor was the assignment of counsel requested. The trial apparently was conducted in accordance with correct procedure in this jurisdiction and no criticism in that respect is offered. The defendant Hedgebeth voluntarily went on the stand and testified as a witness in his own behalf, his testimony tending to show he was not guilty. In the absence of suggestions to the contrary, under the rule in this State, it will be presumed the trial judge correctly instructed the jury as to the law and facts of the case (G. S., 1-180); S. v. Hargrove, 216 N. C., 570, 5 S. E. (2d), 852; Bell v. Brown, 227 N. C., 319 (322), 42 S. E. (2d), 92. The jury returned verdict of guilty as to both defendants, and they were sentenced to State’s Prison for terms of nine to ten years.

The record further discloses that defendant Hedgebeth was a tenant farmer, resident in Washington County, and 24 years of age; that his schooling did not extend beyond the third grade; and that his father and mother lived in another county some 58 miles from the place of trial. The judge who heard the motion also found that the wife of the defendant resided in Washington County, and that she had knowledge of his incarceration and of the nature of the crime charged. The defendant makes the point that this last mentioned fact does not appear in the written record. However, as the judge heard the oral testimony of the sheriff, which was not sent up, it will be presumed his finding was based on evidence he heard, in the absence of some showing to the contrary. Banking Co. v. Bank, 211 N. C., 328, 190 S. E., 472.

The defendant’s evidence, and particularly the affidavit of his father, would tend to indicate that the defendant was ignorant and unacquainted with business or legal affairs; that he had not been arrested before and was inexperienced in court procedure; that he was not of average mentality; that his father was not informed of his arrest, and, if he had been so advised in time, would have procured counsel. However, it was found by the judge from the evidence before him, “that the defendant had sufficient mental capacity to realize the nature of the charge against him and had opportunity, had he been financially able to so do, and desired to so do, to procure counsel.” The defendant and his counsel were present at the bearing. The charge in the bill of indictment under wbicb defendant was tried was not a capital felony and the punishment upon conviction would not exceed 10 years in prison.

In the consideration of the defendant’s appeal from the judgment denying his motion, it may be observed that no presumption would arise from the mere filing of defendant’s motion that the trial was otherwise than in accord with approved practice and procedure in North Carolina courts (S. v. Harris, 204 N. C., 422, 168 S. E., 498), and the burden would rest upon the defendant to show affirmatively such facts as would induce the legal conclusion that certain of his constitutional rights in the respects alleged were denied him. It is in this view that the Attorney-General points out that the defendant’s petition fails to show affirmatively that he was without funds to employ counsel, or that he requested or desired counsel, or made any effort to secure or communicate with one, or that he attempted to or was denied right to communicate with his father, or that he requested the attendance of any witnesses, or that there were any witnesses whose testimony would have helped him. The petition does not appear to contain any allegation that the trial judge failed to explain the nature of the charge against him, or that the defendant did not understand that the single issue of his guilt or innocence was being submitted to the determination of the jury. Already he had been tried on this charge in the Recorder’s Court and knew the charge and the evidence against him. At no time did he ask for delay, nor after conviction did he express a desire for an appeal. He was tried in the county of which he and his wife were residents and where presumably his duties as a citizen were accustomed to be performed. That the evidence offered by the State was competent, and, if accepted by the jury, sufficient to convict is not denied, though defendant maintained his innocence, nor is it alleged that the trial judge failed to instruct the jury fairly and correctly. The other defendant jointly indicted and tried with the appellant has made no motion for a new trial.

On the other hand, the defendant’s position is that the defendant’s ignotance, his poverty, his unfamiliarity with court procedure, the speed with which his case was brought to trial while he was held in jail constitute incontestable evidence of his helplessness in the toils of the law, and that his situation was such that the failure of the judge to assign counsel to aid him in his defense, denied to him due process of law and the equal protection of the laws, in violation of rights vouchsafed him by the Constitution of North Carolina and that of the United States.

Referring to the argument advanced by the defendant, based upon the expedition with which his trial was consummated, we are not inclined to hold that the mere fact that he was arrested 28 December, tried in Recorder’s Court 31 December, and in the Superior Court during the term beginning 6 January, 194Y, indicated such haste as would, without more, constitute denial of due process. Avery v. Alabama, 308 U. S., 443. That was tbe regular course for tbe disposition of tbe case in tbe courts where it was properly cognizable. Tbe. reasons assigned for tbe decision in S. v. Farrell, 223 N. C., 321, 26 S. E. (2d), 322, a capital case, were applicable to tbe peculiar circumstances of tbat case and do not apply in all respects bere. In tbat case tbe defense was insanity, and it was said “if tbe only issue to be tried was tbat of guilt or innocence, based on tbe facts of tbe alleged offense, ample time was allowed.” Tbe administration of justice “without denial or delay” is one of tbe supreme aims of social organization, but expedition is not to be sought at tbe expense of rights of tbe individual guaranteed by tbe Constitution. S. v. Ross, 193 N. C., 25, 136 S. E., 193; S. v. Whitfield, 206 N. C., 696, 175 S. E., 93.

Tbe question whether under tbe laws and approved procedure in this State tbe ignorance of tbe defendant and bis unfamiliarity with legal matters were alone sufficient to render mandatory tbe provisions in tbe Constitution and statutes of North Carolina for tbe assignment of counsel, and whether failure to do so in a case of robbery constitutes a denial of constitutional rights must be answered in tbe negative. His trial was before a fair and, patient judge and by a jury of tbe vicinage, and no evidence is offered to rebut tbe presumption of tbe regularity of the trial. S. v. Harris, 204 N. C., 422, 168 S. E., 498.

Tbe Constitution of North Carolina, Art. I, sec. 11, contains this provision: “In all'criminal prosecutions every man has tbe right to be informed of tbe accusation against him and to confront tbe accusers and witnesses with other testimony, and to have counsel for bis defense, and not be compelled to give evidence against himself, or to pay costs, jail fees, or necessary witness fees of tbe defense, unless found guilty.” And this constitutional provision is further implemented .by statute (G. S., 15-4) in these words: “Every person accused of any crime whatsoever, shall be entitled to counsel in all matters which may be necessary for bis defense.”

In capital felonies these provisions relative to counsel are regarded as not merely permissive but mandatory. This is indicated by tbe statute, G. S., 15-5, and by numerous decisions of this Court. S. v. Collins, 70 N. C., 242; S. v. Jacobs, 107 N. C., 772, 11 S. E., 962; S. v. Hardy, 189 N. C., 799, 128 S. E., 152; S. v. Whitfield, 206 N. C., 696, 175 S. E., 93; S. v. Farrell, 223 N. C., 321, 26 S. E. (2d), 322; Powell v. Alabama, 287 U. S., 45. But in eases of misdemeanors and felonies less than capital it has been tbe uniform practice in this jurisdiction to regard these provisions as guaranteeing tbe right of persons accused to have counsel for their defense, to be represented by counsel, and tbe right to have counsel assigned if requested and tbe circumstances are such, for financial or other reasons, as to show the apparent necessity of counsel for the protection of the defendant’s rights.

But we cannot hold that in all cases, in the absence of any present statute to that effect, the burden is imposed upon the state to provide counsel for defendants. In cases less than capital the propriety of providing counsel for the accused must depend upon the circumstances of the individual case, within the sound discretion of the trial judge. In the language of Justice Holmes in Lochner v. New York, 198 U. S., 45, “General propositions do not decide concrete cases.”

The Constitution of North Carolina further in general and comprehensive terms safeguards the rights of the individual by declaring that no person shall be deprived of his life, liberty or property “but by the law of the land” (Art. I, see. 17), and the expression “law of the land” has been held equivalent to the due process of law required by the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The expression quoted means “the general law, the law which hears before it condemns; which proceeds upon inquiry, and renders judgment only after trial.” Conner and Cheshire’s Constitution, pg. 56; Markham v. Carver, 188 N. C., 615, 125 S. E., 409. It means the regular course of the administration of justice through the courts of competent jurisdiction, after the manner of such courts. Caldwell v. Wilson, 121 N. C., 425, 28 S. E., 554. Procedure must be consistent with the fundamental principles of liberty and justice. Hebert v. Louisiana, 272 U. S., 312 (316).

Reversal of the- judgment below denying the defendant’s motion for new trial is urged on the ground that in his prosecution, conviction and sentence in the trial in the Superior Court he was denied the due process of law guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and by other constitutional provisions.

While it is well settled that the references in the Fifth Amendment to the Federal Constitution to due process of law, as well as the provisions in the Sixth Amendment declaratory of the right of the accused in a criminal prosecution to have the assistance of counsel, are to be regarded as applicable only to trials in Federal Courts, the provision in the Fourteenth Amendment against denial of due process to a litigant is made directly applicable to State’s action in judicial proceedings as well as through other agencies of the State. It was said in Betts v. Brady, 316 U. S., 455, “The phrase (due process of law) formulates a concept less rigid and more fluid than those envisaged in other specific and particular provisions of the Bill of Rights.” The purpose of these provisions as they relate to judicial procedure is to insure fundamental fairness.

It was argued by defendant’s counsel that the failure of the trial court to appoint counsel for the defendant’s defense and the speed with which the trial was conducted to its conclusion, coupled with evidence of the youth and inexperience of the defendant, constituted denial of due process of law. Cited in support of this position are the cases of White v. Ragan, 324 U. S., 760; Rice v. Olson, 324 U. S., 786; Williams v. Kaiser, 323 U. S., 471; Tomkins v. Missouri, 323 U. S., 485; De Meerleer v. Michigan, 91 Law Ed. Adv. Opinions, 471; Smith v. O’Grady, 312 U. S., 329. It was insisted that the facts shown in the case at bar are such as to bring it within the principle announced in those and other similar cases. However, it may be noted that in White v. Ragan, supra, the Court’s opinion was predicated upon allegations by the defendant, uncontradicted, showing bad faith on the. part of assigned counsel, sanctioned by the ruling of the judge, and the procurement of testimony known to be false by the prosecuting attorney. And in Rice v. Olson the state court held the defendant’s plea of guilty, though alleged to have been unfairly entered, constituted an absolute waiver of defendant’s rights. In Williams v. Kaiser and Tomhins v. Missouri, both from the State of Missouri, the statute of that state required the assignment of counsel. In the most recent case on the subject De Meerleer v. Michigan, supra, the facts recited by the Court were that the defendant was 17 years of age, was without counsel, and was not advised of his rights, and further that on the same day defendant was arraigned, tried, convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. In Smith v. O’Grady it appeared that remedy in the state court was denied defendant without determining the truthfulness of his allegation that he was without counsel and was “tricked” into pleading guilty.

From an examination of the cited eases and others of like nature recently considered by the Supreme Court of the United States it appears that these decisions were in the last analysis determined on the basis of the facts in each case. Said Justice Roberts in Betts v. Brady, supra, “Asserted denial (of due process) is to be tested by an appraisal of the totality of facts in a given case.” And in the recent case of Carter v. Illinois, 91 Law. Ed. Adv. Op., 157, it was said: “But the Due Process Clause has never been perverted so as to force upon the forty-eight States a uniform code of criminal procedure. Except for the limited scope of the federal criminal code, the prosecution of crime is a matter for the individual States. The Constitution commands the States to assure fair judgment. Procedural details for securing fairness it leaves to the States. It is for them, therefore, to choose the methods and practices by which crime is brought to book, so long as they observe those ultimate dignities of man which the United States Constitution assures.”

In Betts v. Brady, 316 U. S., 455, the Court, after reviewing the statutory and constitutional provisions as to appointment of counsel in criminal cases in the several states, announced this conclusion: “This material demonstrates that, in the great majority of the states, it has been the considered judgment of the .people, their representatives and their courts that appointment of counsel is not a fundamental right, essential to a fair trial. On the contrary, the matter has generally been deemed one of legislative policy. In the light of this evidence we are unable to say that the concept of due process incorporated in the Fourteenth Amendment obligates the states, whatever may be their own views, to furnish counsel in every such case. Every court has power, if it deems proper, to appoint counsel where that course seems to be required in the interest of fairness.”

The allegations in defendant’s petition and affidavits are not to be accepted as presenting a statement of all the facts, or necessarily as one entirely correct, since upon the hearing on defendant’s motion other evidence was offered by the State, and upon all the evidence findings of fact were made by the court. These come to us as determinative. It is^ an established rule in this jurisdiction that findings of fact made by a Superior Court judge as to matters within his jurisdiction and properly cognizable by him, when based on evidence presently presented, must-be held conclusive on appeal. In re Hamilton, 182 N. C., 44, 108 S. E., 385. His findings import verity. Hence, on the record before us our decision must be based on the facts as found and reported in the judgment below.

After a careful examination of the record in this case and of all the facts which have been made to appear,, giving due consideration to the constitutional principles invoked as judicially interpreted by the Supreme Court of the United States, we conclude that none of the fundamental rights essential to a fair trial have been denied the defendant, and that the judgment overruling defendant’s motion must be upheld, and the

Judgment affirmed.