Ex parte Atkinson

Decision Date21 March 1956
Docket NumberNo. 28256,28256
Citation288 S.W.2d 89,162 Tex.Crim. 546
PartiesEx parte T. B. ATKINSON.
CourtTexas Court of Criminal Appeals

Reginald Bracewell, Huntsville, for appellant.

Leon B. Douglas, State's Atty., Austin, for the State.

MORRISON, Presiding Judge.

Relator, an inmate of the Texas Prison System, seeks his release by writ of habeas corpus.

The writ was granted by the Honorable Max M. Rogers, Judge of the 12th Judicial District, and made returnable to this Court in accordance with the terms of Article 119, V.A.C.C.P.

It was shown from the record herein that relator was convicted on December 3, 1935, in the District Court of Hidalgo County of felony theft and repetition of offenses under Article 63, V.A.P.C., and sentenced to life imprisonment.

An examination of the indictment reveals that the primary offense was charged to have been committed on March 15, 1935. The two prior convictions alleged were as follows:

1. Burglary alleged to have been committed on July 22, 1932, which resulted in a conviction in the District Court of Trinity County on June 23, 1933.

2. Passing as true a forged instrument alleged to have been committed on July 5, 1932, which resulted in a conviction in the District Court of Trinity County on June 23, 1933.

It is apparent that since the relator was convicted in both of the Trinity County cases on the same day, neither conviction could have preceded the commission of the offense in the other case and the two convictions could not constitute the basis for a prosecution as a third offender under Article 63, V.A.P.C. Ex parte Daniels, 262 S.W.2d 586.

It is further apparent that the indictment is sufficient to charge the relator as a second offender under Article 62, V.A.P.C.

The punishment in the instant case provided by Article 62, V.A.P.C., is ten years.

Relator has served in excess of ten years and is therefore entitled to discharge. Ex parte Pruitt, 139 Tex.Cr.R. 438, 141, S.W.2d 333.

The writ is granted, and the relator is ordered discharged.

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4 cases
  • Creekmore v. Attorney General of Texas
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — Eastern District of Texas
    • March 30, 2001
    ...merely count as one conviction, so that a subsequent conviction may be punished only as a second conviction. See Ex parte Atkinson, 162 Tex.Crim. 546, 288 S.W.2d 89 (1956); Ex parte Huff, 166 Tex.Crim. 508, 316 S.W.2d 896 Legislative history reveals nothing regarding lawmakers' intent in en......
  • Harrington v. State, 40849
    • United States
    • Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
    • January 3, 1968
    ... ...         In Ex parte Atkinson, 162 Tex.Cr.R. 546, 288 S.W.2d 89, this Court said: ... 'It is apparent that since the relator was convicted in both of the Trinity County ... ...
  • Mena v. State
    • United States
    • Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
    • January 23, 1974
    ...63, V.A.P.C. He cites Gammill v. State, 135 Tex.Cr.R. 52, 117 S.W.2d 790; Ex parte Huff, Tex.Cr.App., 316 S.W.2d 896; Ex parte Atkinson, Tex.Cr.App., 288 S.W.2d 89; and Mullins v. State, 409 S.W.2d We do not disagree with the holdings in these cases, but they do not apply here. The robbery ......
  • Ex parte Huff
    • United States
    • Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
    • October 15, 1958
    ... ... The first prior conviction alleged for enhancement was for forgery, secured in the same court on November 19, 1937, and the second prior conviction was likewise for forgery in the same court on the same day, to-wit: November 19, 1937 ...         Recently, in Ex parte Atkinson, 162 Tex.Cr.R. 546, 288 S.W.2d 89, 90, under a similar situation, we said: ... 'It is apparent that since the relator was convicted in both of the Trinity County cases on the same day, neither ... conviction could have preceded the commission of the offense in the other case and the two ... ...

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