Ex Parte Barr.
Decision Date | 01 November 1916 |
Docket Number | No. 3265.,3265. |
Citation | 79 W.Va. 681 |
Court | West Virginia Supreme Court |
Parties | Ex Parte Barr. |
(Opinion filed February 27, 1917.)
By section 9, chapter 152, and section 4, chapter 144, Code 1913, conviction of an attempt to commit voluntary manslaughter is but a misdemeanor, and a judgment on such verdict of imprisonment in the penitentiary is void. Explaining State v. Ballard, 55 W. Va. 379. (p. 682).
One so convicted and sentenced may be discharged from such illegal and void sentence on writ of habeas corpus, (p. 683).
Habeas corpus by 0. D. Barr.
Petitioner discharged from an illegal sentence and remanded.
A. R. Stallings and J. W. JIarman, for petitioner.
Wayne K. Priit and A. A. Lilly, Attorney General, and J. E. Brown, Assistant Attorney General, for respondent.
On an indictment for an attempt to commit murder petitioner was found guilty of an attempt to commit voluntary manslaughter, upon which verdict the court adjudged that he be confined in the penitentiary for one year, and from which judgment of imprisonment petitioner seeks discharge upon a writ of habeas corpus.
The indictment was found under section 9, chapter 152, Code 1913, providing:
Section 4, chapter 144, Code 1913, provides, respecting the offense of which petitioner was found guilty, that: "Voluntary manslaughter shall be punishable by confinement in the penitentiary not less than one year nor more than five years.'9
As the offense of voluntary manslaughter is punishable only by confinement in the penitentiary, and not by death, it is quite clear that an attempt to commit voluntary manslaughter is but a misdemeanor, an offense punishable by confinement only in the county jail, and by a fine, as prescribed by the statute.
The statute seems very plain on this question, and there would seem to be no room for doubt, but for an inadvertent expression in State v. BaMard, 55 \Y. Va. 379. That case was disposed of here upon the merits. Defendant as in this case was indicted for an attempt to commit murder, and found guilty of an attempt to commit murder in the second degree. If guilty as found by the jury the offense was a misdemeanor punishable by confinement in the county jail and
by a fine, and the judgment of the court went accordingly.
But on writ of error to this court it was found that under the facts and circumstances proven defendant if the shot had proven fatal would not have been...
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