Williams v. State

• Decision Date: 02 December 1920
• Docket Number: 1 Div. 156
• Citation: 205 Ala. 76,87 So. 530
• Parties: WILLIAMS v. STATE.
• Court: Alabama Supreme Court

87 So. 530

205 Ala. 76

WILLIAMS v. STATE.

1 Div. 156

Supreme Court of Alabama

December 2, 1920

Appeal from Circuit Court, Clarke County; Ben. D. Turner, Judge.

Earnest Williams was convicted of murder in the first degree, and he appeals. Affirmed.

Q.W Tucker and E.V. Chapman, both of Grove Hill, for appellant.

J.Q Smith, Atty. Gen., for the State.

THOMAS J.

The defendant was indicted for murder in the first degree, and the death penalty imposed pursuant to the verdict of the jury so adjudging the degree of his guilt and fixing his punishment. The trial took place on December 8, 1919, and defendant was found guilty and sentenced on December 10 1919.

The bill of exceptions does not show that the same was presented to the presiding judge within 90 days from the day on which the judgment was entered. It merely recites that the bill of exceptions was presented "within the time prescribed by law," and signed on April 3, 1920, which was more than 90 days from the date on which the judgment of the court was entered. This is not a compliance with the statutory requirement.

This court has held that where a bill of exceptions fails to show that it was presented to the presiding judge within 90 days from the day on which the judgment was entered the court will, ex mero motu, leave out of consideration such bill of exceptions in considering the transcript. That is to say, the presentation of the bill of exceptions to the presiding judge within the time prescribed by the statute (Code, § 3019) is jurisdictional, and such failure will be taken ex mero motu by this court. Edinburgh- American L.M. Co. v Canterbury, 169 Ala. 444, 53 So. 823; Smith v. State, 166 Ala. 24, 52 So. 396; State ex rel. Tate v. Powell, 184 Ala. 46, 63 So. 542; Brannan v. Sherry, 195 Ala. 272, 71 So. 106; Box et al. v. Sou. Ry. Co., 184 Ala. 598, 64 So. 69; Herzberg, Trustee, v. Riddle, 171 Ala. 368, 54 So. 635; Wrenn v. Baker, 15 Ala.App. 434, 73 So. 756.

When properly presented and indorsed as required by statute, and yet not signed thereafter by the presiding judge within the time prescribed by law, such failure cannot be taken by the court ex mero motu, and the bill of exceptions may only be stricken on motion of a party to the record or his attorney. Code, § 3020; Shipp v. Shelton, 193 Ala. 659, 663, 69 So. 102; Box v. Sou. Ry. Co., supra; Harper v. State, 13 Ala.App. 47, 69 So. 302.

The record proper appearing in all...