STATE v. BLUE

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Docket Number

20028

Attorney(S)

Robert Marshall Jones, Esq. of Rock Hill, for Appellant, cites: As to a recorder of a Municipal Court not having the authority to issue an arrest warrant for a violation of Section 16-337 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1962 as amended: 22 C.J.S. Criminal Law Section 132 at 352; 95 S.C. 203, 78 S.E. 893; 85 S.C. 16, 67 S.E. 13; Section 15-1010, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1962, as amended; 85 S.C. 16, 67 S.E. 13; 95 S.C. 203, 78 S.E. 893; Section 4-122, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1962, as amended. As to a recorder of a Municipal Court not having the authority to hold a preliminary hearing on a warrant charging a violation of Section 16-337, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1962, as amended: Article 5, Section 21, Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 1895; Section 13-231, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1962, as amended; Section 43-232, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1962, as amended; 22 C.J.S. Criminal Laws Section 132 at 352; Section 15-901, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1962, as amended; Section 15-1010, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1962, as amended; 95 S.C. 203, 78 S.E. 893; 85 S.C. 16, 67 S.E. 13; Section 17-271, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1962, as amended; Section 4-122, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1962, as amended; Section 16-414.1 et seq., Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1962, as amended; 194 S.C. 234, 9 S.E.2d 730; 296 F. Supp. 563. As to the Trial Judge's erring in refusing to allow counsel for the Appellant to cross-examine a witness for the State by using the transcript of the preliminary hearing: Section 15-901, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1962, as amended; 261 S.C. 247, 199 S.E.2d 304. As to the Trial Judge's erring in denying the Appellant's motion for a directed verdict of not guilty due to the insufficiency of the evidence: 243 S.C. 265, 133 S.E.2d 800; 228 S.C. 324, 89 S.E.2d 924; West's South Carolina Digest, 7A Criminal Law Section 753(2). As to the charge of the Trial Judge being an improper invasion of the jury's province of determining the facts: Article 5, Section 26, Constitution of South Carolina, 1895; 201 S.C. 387, 23 S.E.2d 244; Section 16-337, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1962, as amended; 158 S.C. 251, 155 S.E. 409. Messrs. Daniel R. McLeod, Atty. Gen, and Joseph R. Barker, Asst. Atty. Gen., of Columbia, and Mike S. Jolly, Sol., of Union, for Respondent, cite: As to the Rock Hill municipal recorder having authority to issue an arrest warrant and hold a preliminary hearing on the charge of violating Section 16-337 of the 1962 Code of Laws of South Carolina, as amended: Section 16-337, 1962 Code of Laws of South Carolina, as amended; 254 S.C. 207, 174 S.E.2d 753; 239 S.C. 376, 123 S.E.2d 512; 5 So. 435; 95 S.C. 203, 78 S.E. 893; 85 S.C. 16, 67 S.E. 13. As to the Trial Court's acting properly within its discretion in refusing to allow the Appellant to cross-examine Mary Phillips, a State witness, by using a purported transcript of the testimony at the preliminary hearing: 261 S.C. 247, 199 S.E.2d 304; 35 S.C. 537, 15 S.E. 272; 214 S.C. 111, 51 S.E.2d 376. As to the Trial Court's properly denying the Appellant's motion for a directed verdict of acquittal made at the close of the State's case and reversed at the close of all the evidence: West's South Carolina Digest, 7A Criminal Law Section 753(2); 171 S.E.2d 712; 175 S.E.2d 624. As to there being no basis for reversal in the Trial Court's charge to the jury: 309 F. Supp. 1287; 261 S.C. 488, 201 S.E.2d 118.

Judges

LEWIS, Justice:

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Smart Summary

Factual and Procedural Background

Daniel Blue was convicted and sentenced for safecracking under Section 16-337 of the 1962 Code of Laws of South Carolina. He appealed the conviction. The case arose after money, a lady's diamond ring, and other articles were stolen from the safe of Rock Hill Body Company. Shortly thereafter, Blue was found in possession of similar stolen property and admitted to obtaining them from the safe. Blue was arrested on a warrant issued by the Recorder of the City of Rock Hill, who also held a preliminary hearing on the charge. The Recorder overruled Blue's objections to his jurisdiction to issue the warrant and hold the hearing. The indictment was returned by the Court of General Sessions, which denied Blue's motion to quash the indictment based on the Recorder's alleged lack of authority. The trial court refused to allow Blue's counsel to cross-examine a State witness using a transcript of the preliminary hearing testimony, which led to the appeal.

Legal Issues Presented

Whether the trial judge erred in refusing to allow the defendant’s counsel to use a transcript of the preliminary hearing testimony to impeach a State witness during cross-examination.
Whether there was sufficient evidence to sustain the defendant’s conviction for safecracking.
Whether the City Recorder had the authority to issue an arrest warrant and hold a preliminary hearing for an offense beyond the Recorder’s jurisdiction to try.

Arguments of the Parties

Appellant's Arguments

The Recorder of the Municipal Court lacked authority to issue an arrest warrant for a violation of Section 16-337.
The Recorder lacked authority to hold a preliminary hearing on such a charge.
The trial judge erred by refusing to allow cross-examination of a State witness using the transcript of the preliminary hearing testimony.
The trial judge erred in denying the motion for a directed verdict of not guilty due to insufficient evidence.
The trial judge's jury charge improperly invaded the jury’s province of fact-finding.

Respondent's Arguments

The Rock Hill municipal recorder had authority to issue an arrest warrant and hold a preliminary hearing for the charge of violating Section 16-337.
The trial court acted properly within its discretion in refusing to allow cross-examination by using the preliminary hearing transcript.
The trial court properly denied the motion for a directed verdict of acquittal.
There was no basis for reversal in the trial court’s jury charge.

Table of Precedents Cited

Precedent	Rule or Principle Cited For	Application by the Court
State v. Hicks, 261 S.C. 247, 199 S.E.2d 304	Former testimony at a preliminary hearing may be used to impeach a witness if established by legal, competent, and proper proof.	Court held the preliminary hearing transcript was proper impeachment evidence and the trial judge erred in refusing its use.
State v. Funderburk, 259 S.C. 256, 191 S.E.2d 520	Where a timely demand for a preliminary hearing is made, the Court of General Sessions does not acquire jurisdiction until such hearing is held.	Addressed the jurisdictional requirements related to preliminary hearings and indictments.
Keels v. City of Sumter, 95 S.C. 203, 78 S.E. 893	Authority of municipal courts to try violations of State statutes.	Distinguished as inapplicable because it involved trial authority, not preliminary hearing or warrant issuance.
City of Anderson v. Seligman, 85 S.C. 16, 67 S.E. 13	Authority of municipal courts to try violations of State statutes.	Distinguished for the same reasons as Keels; not controlling on preliminary hearing authority.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The court first analyzed the refusal of the trial judge to allow the defendant to use a transcript of the preliminary hearing testimony to impeach a State witness. It emphasized that prior testimony may be used for impeachment if proven by legal and competent evidence. Here, the transcript was taken by a sworn stenographer designated by the Recorder, and no objection was made to its accuracy. Therefore, the trial judge's refusal was error that unduly restricted cross-examination and warranted a new trial.

Regarding sufficiency of evidence, the court found that possession shortly after the theft of the stolen property, coupled with the defendant's admission, was sufficient to uphold the conviction, rejecting the defendant’s motion for directed verdict.

On the issue of the City Recorder's authority, the court examined statutory provisions granting municipal courts and their Recorders the powers of magistrates for offenses beyond their trial jurisdiction. It concluded that the Recorder had authority to issue arrest warrants and hold preliminary hearings within city limits, even for offenses beyond the Recorder’s trial jurisdiction. The court distinguished prior cases cited by the appellant as involving trial authority rather than preliminary hearing or warrant authority.

Holding and Implications

The court reversed the conviction and remanded the case for a new trial.

The reversal was based on the prejudicial error of refusing to allow the defendant to impeach a State witness with the transcript of preliminary hearing testimony. The court upheld the sufficiency of the evidence and confirmed the City Recorder’s authority to issue arrest warrants and conduct preliminary hearings for offenses beyond the Recorder’s trial jurisdiction within city limits. No new precedent was established beyond clarifying the scope of the Recorder’s authority and evidentiary rules on impeachment with prior testimony. The direct effect is to grant the defendant a new trial with proper evidentiary procedures.

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The STATE, Respondent, v. Daniel BLUE, Appellant.

June 5, 1975.

LEWIS, Justice:

The defendant Daniel Blue has appealed from his conviction and sentence for safecracking (Section 16-337, 1962 Code of Laws). We grant a new trial because of error in the refusal of the trial judge to permit counsel for the defendant to use, for the purpose of impeachment, a transcript of the preliminary hearing testimony in the cross-examination of a witness for the State.

A preliminary hearing was requested and granted. At this hearing, counsel for defendant requested that the testimony be taken in writing, whereupon, according to the agreed Statement, counsel was instructed by the Recorder of the City of Rock Hill before whom the hearing was held, "to use his (counsel's) own secretary who being duly sworn took and transcribed the testimony."

A material witness for the State, a Mrs. Phillips, testified at the preliminary hearing and at the trial. When counsel for the defendant attempted to cross-examine Mrs. Phillips at the trial from a transcript of her testimony at the preliminary hearing, the trial judge ruled that such cross-examination was improper because the testimony at the preliminary hearing was not taken by an "official court reporter."

We held in State v. Hicks, 261 S.C. 247, 199 S.E.2d 304:

"The testimony of a witness on trial may be discredited by contradictory testimony given by him at a preliminary examination or hearing. However, such former testimony must be established by legal, competent and proper proof. 98 C.J.S. Witnesses §§ 594 and 616."

There was no objection to the use of the transcript of the testimony on the ground that the transcript was inaccurate. In fact, it is undisputed that the Recorder, in effect, designated counsel's secretary to take the testimony, that she was duly sworn for that purpose, and "took and transcribed the testimony." It was further agreed in the Statement that "counsel for the defendant attempted to cross-examine Mary Phillips on her testimony made at the preliminary hearing." (Emphasis added.)

Since it is undisputed that the transcript, sought to be used by counsel to impeach the witness, was an accurate transcript of the testimony taken and transcribed by the stenographer designated and sworn for that purpose by the hearing officer, the trial judge was in error in refusing to permit its use at the trial. The ruling unduly restricted the cross-examination by defendant of a very material witness for the State, and constituted prejudicial error, requiring a new trial. The judgment is accordingly reversed and the cause remanded for a new trial.

However, it is necessary that we dispose of two other questions since they will no doubt arise on a retrial of the case. Under the first, defendant contends that there was no evidence to sustain his conviction and his motion for a directed verdict on that ground should have been granted. There is no merit in this contention.

Money, a lady's diamond ring, and other articles were stolen from the safe of Rock Hill Body Company, located in the City of Rock Hill. Defendant's possession, shortly thereafter, of considerable cash, a lady's diamond ring, and other property of the nature stolen from the safe, with his admission to others that he obtained them from the safe of the Body Shop, were sufficient to sustain his conviction of the offense charged.

The remaining question concerns the authority of the City Recorder to issue an arrest warrant and hold a preliminary hearing for a violation of Section 16-337 of the 1962 Code of Laws, an offense beyond the jurisdiction of the Recorder to try.

Defendant was arrested on a warrant issued by the Recorder of the City of Rock Hill, charging defendant with the offense of safecracking, a violation of Code Section 16-337. Subsequently, defendant made a timely demand for a preliminary hearing on that charge. The hearing was held before the Recorder who issued the arrest warrant. Counsel for defendant objected to the hearing on the grounds that the Recorder had no jurisdiction to issue the warrant or to hold the preliminary hearing since the offense was beyond the Recorder's jurisdiction to try. These objections were overruled by the Recorder who found probable cause and sent the warrant to the Court of General Sessions, where an indictment was returned.

When the case was called for trial, defendant moved to quash the indictment on the grounds that defendant's request for a preliminary hearing had not been properly granted, since the Recorder was without authority to hold such a hearing; and that the Court of General Sessions had no jurisdiction to try the offense until a proper preliminary hearing was held, relying upon the principle that, where a demand for a preliminary hearing is timely made, the Court of General Sessions does not acquire jurisdiction of the case until after such preliminary hearing is held. Section 43-232, 1962 Code of Laws; State v. Funderburk, 259 S.C. 256, 191 S.E.2d 520. The lower court denied the motion, holding that the City Recorder had jurisdiction to issue the warrant and hold the preliminary hearing.

The question presented is whether a City Recorder has authority to issue an arrest warrant and hold a preliminary hearing where the offense occurred within the city limits but was beyond the jurisdiction of the Recorder to try. We think that the statutes clearly grant such authority to City Recorders.

Section 43-231, 1962 Code of Laws, provides that "in criminal matters beyond their jurisdiction to try, magistrates shall sit as examining courts and commit, discharge and, except in capital cases, recognize persons charged with such offenses."

Applicable to the City of Rock Hill, Code Sections 15-1002 and 15-1003 authorize the city council of any city with a population of over one thousand to establish a municipal court to be held by a Recorder; and Code Section 15-1010 establishes the following jurisdiction of such municipal courts:

"Such municipal court shall have jurisdiction to try and determine all cases arising under the ordinances of the city in which the court is established and generally shall have all such judicial powers and duties as are now conferred upon the mayor of such city, either by its charter or by the laws of this State. The municipal court shall also have all such powers, duties and jurisdiction in criminal cases as are now conferred by law upon the magistrates appointed and commissioned for the county in which the court is established except, that such court shall not have the authority of a magistrate to appoint a constable." (Emphasis added.)

Under the foregoing provisions of Section 15-1010, Recorders "have all such powers, duties and jurisdiction in criminal cases as are now conferred by law upon the magistrates . . . commissioned for the county in which the (Recorder's) court is established." The jurisdiction conferred on Recorders, therefore, includes concurrent jurisdiction with magistrates to issue warrants for arrests within the city limits for offenses beyond their jurisdiction to try and, under Code Section 43-231, supra, to sit as examining courts in such cases, where the offenses are committed within the corporate limits of the city.

The decisions in Keels v. City of Sumter, 95 S.C. 203, 78 S.E. 893 and City of Anderson v. Seligman, 85 S.C. 16, 67 S.E. 13, relied upon by appellant, involved the authority of a municipal court to try violations of State statutes and do not control the issues here involved. Moreover, both of these cases were decided under the provisions of what is now Code Section 15-901, the language of said code section, as to jurisdiction, being not nearly so broad as that of Code Section 15-1010.

Reversed and remanded for a new trial.

MOSS, C.J., and BUSSEY, LITTLEJOHN and NESS, JJ., concur.