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State v. Morgan (Oregon Supreme Court, Dec. 10, 1935)

Factual and Procedural Background

J.F. Morgan was convicted of rape in the Circuit Court of Clatsop County (Judge Howard K. Zimmerman). Defendant filed a motion in the trial court requesting that the official reporter be ordered to furnish him with a free transcript of the testimony and proceedings because he alleged indigence and asserted he had a good cause of appeal. The trial court denied the motion on the ground that sufficient cause had not been shown. Defendant appealed the denial and the underlying conviction. In this court defendant also moved for an order directing the trial judge to issue an order providing a free transcript and to extend time for perfecting the appeal until the transcript could be prepared. The Oregon Supreme Court heard the matter and denied the motion and affirmed the conviction.

Legal Issues Presented

  1. Whether the trial judge abused his discretion in denying defendant's motion for a free transcript of the testimony under Section 28-705, Oregon Code 1930 (i.e., whether the judge erred in refusing to order the official reporter to furnish a transcript at public expense).
  2. Whether the trial court erred in denying defendant's request for a change of judge (i.e., whether the judge who presided at the trial should have been disqualified).
  3. Whether the appeal should be dismissed for lack of a brief, bill of exceptions, or transcript of testimony.

Arguments of the Parties

Appellant's Arguments

  • Defendant filed an affidavit asserting he was "wholly without funds or means" and could not pay for a transcript; he claimed a "good cause of appeal" as shown by a previously filed motion for a new trial and its arguments, and requested that the official reporter be ordered to furnish a free transcript.
  • In support of the motion for a new trial, defendant advanced three grounds: (I) insufficiency of the evidence; (II) errors of law occurring in the trial and excepted to by defendant; and (III) irregularities in the proceedings and abuse of discretion preventing a fair trial. He also relied on a letter to the trial judge (dated January 23, 1935) and a subsequently filed affidavit asserting the judge was prejudiced and that he could not have a fair trial before that judge.

Respondent's (State's) Arguments

  • The district attorney moved in this court for dismissal of the appeal because no brief, bill of exceptions, or transcript of testimony had been filed.
  • At the trial court, the State opposed the request for a free transcript, resulting in the trial judge's denial for insufficient cause.

Table of Precedents Cited

Precedent Rule or Principle Cited For Application by the Court
Rex v. Wright, et ux., Vol. II, Strange's Rep. 1041 Historic common-law authority recognizing courts' discretionary power to allow an indigent defendant to defend as a pauper. Listed as historical support for the proposition that courts had discretionary power to permit pauper defense.
State v. Waddle, 94 Iowa, 748 (64 N.W. 276) Holds trial judge has peculiar discretion to grant or deny free transcript; appellate court will presume exercise of discretion was wise absent record showing abuse. Quoted and relied upon to support that the Iowa statute was construed to vest discretion in the trial judge and to show appellate deference.
State ex rel. Marr v. Superior Court for Pierce County et al., 163 Wn. 459 (1 P.2d 331) Constructions holding that statute vests broad discretion in the trial judge to order transcript only if judge thinks justice will be promoted. Quoted to support that Washington construing the similar statute recognized near-absolute discretion of trial judge; used to support interpretation of Oregon statute.
State v. Van Gorder, 192 Iowa, 353 (184 N.W. 638) Holds duty upon trial court to furnish record where a prima facie showing of indigence is made and no counter showing is interposed by prosecution. Listed as authority demonstrating jurisdictions where furnishing a transcript is mandatory upon a prima facie showing of indigence.
State v. Goodsell, 136 Iowa, 445 (113 N.W. 826) Similar rule: trial court duty to furnish transcript upon prima facie showing of indigence absent counter showing. Listed among authorities holding duty upon the trial court to furnish transcript in such circumstances.
Smith v. Bastin, 192 Ky. 164 (232 S.W. 415) Authority treating the duty to furnish records to indigent litigants in certain circumstances. Listed with other cases as holding the duty to furnish a record when prima facie indigence is shown and not contested.
Smith v. Sisters of the Good Shepherd, 27 Ky. Law Rep. 1170 (87 S.W. 1076) Authority on furnishing records for indigent parties. Listed with other Kentucky authorities as supporting mandatory furnishing upon prima facie showing.
State v. Klein, 95 Conn. 451 (112 A. 524) Listed as a case holding the matter discretionary with the trial judge. Included among cases characterized as treating provision as discretionary for trial court.
Merrick v. The State, 63 Ind. 327 Listed as authority for discretionary approach. Grouped among cases holding trial judge discretion as to furnishing transcripts.
Falkenburgh v. Jones, 5 Ind. 296 Listed as authority for discretionary approach. Grouped among decisions treating the matter as discretionary.
Ex parte Morgan, 122 Ind. 428 (23 N.E. 863) Listed as authority on discretion of trial court in similar matters. Included among cases viewed as discretionary.
Rice v. State, 120 Neb. 641 (234 N.W. 566) Nebraska authority cited with discretionary cases. Grouped among decisions holding the furnishing of transcript discretionary with trial judge.
Argabright v. State, 46 Neb. 822 (65 N.W. 886) Authority cited among discretionary cases. Listed with other Nebraska cases supporting discretionary view.
Commonwealth v. Kosh, 16 Pa. Dist. Co. Reps. 634 Pennsylvania authority referenced in discretionary grouping. Included among cases holding discretion with trial judge.
State ex rel. Coella v. Fenimore, 2 Wn. St. 370 (26 P. 807) Washington authority cited among discretionary cases. Listed as one of the Washington decisions treating the matter as discretionary.
Stowe v. State, 2 Wn. St. 124 (25 P. 1085) Listed as Washington authority on discretionary practice. Grouped with other Washington cases supporting the discretionary construction.
State ex rel. Mahoney v. Ronald, Judge, 117 Wn. 641 (202 P. 241, 243) Another Washington decision cited for discretionary approach. Included among Washington cases recognizing trial judge discretion.
State ex rel. Whitfield v. Superior Court, 125 Wn. 667 (216 P. 887) Washington case cited in discretionary grouping. Listed as supporting the discretionary view.
Kendall v. Rudderow, 35 Ariz. 453 (281 P. 37) Mandamus proceeding in sister jurisdiction concerning transcript orders. Listed among cases where mandamus was used to present the question.
State ex rel. Martin v. Wofford, Judge, 121 Mo. 61 (25 S.W. 851) Mandamus examples from Missouri. Included among mandamus cases addressing similar issues.
State ex rel. Scales v. Zachritz, Judge, 145 Mo. 269 (46 S.W. 961) Mandamus example regarding transcripts/records. Listed among instances presented by mandamus.
State ex rel. Lashley v. Ittner, 315 Mo. 68 (285 S.W. 509; changed and reprinted in 292 S.W. 707) Missouri mandamus decision on related subject. Grouped with other mandamus proceedings cited.
Ex parte Fread, 83 Tex.Crim. R. (204 S.W. 113) Texas mandamus example. Listed among cases in mandamus posture.
Arbuckle v. State, 103 Tex. Cr. 129 (280 S.W. 824) Texas mandamus case. Included among mandamus proceedings cited in the opinion.
State ex rel. Wigal v. Wilson, 43 Okla. 112 (141 P. 426) Mandamus/civil case cited from Oklahoma. Included among mandamus examples in which the question was presented.
State v. Nash, 109 N.C. 822 (13 S.E. 733) Certiorari example from North Carolina. Listed among instances where the question was presented by certiorari.
Ex parte Wigger, 39 Okla. Cr. 108 (263 P. 1112) Habeas corpus example where question was presented. Listed as an instance where habeas corpus was used to present the issue.
Rolle v. State, 115 Fla. 64 (154 So. 892) Writ of error example in Florida. Included among cases presented by writ of error.
Reddick v. State, 45 Ga. App. 353 (164 S.E. 455) Writ of error examples from Georgia. Listed among writ of error decisions cited.
Summerour v. State, 172 Ga. 560 (158 S.E. 327) Georgia writ of error case. Included among writ of error instances cited by the court.
Bowden et al. v. State, 36 Ga. App. 751 (138 S.E. 246) Georgia writ of error example. Listed among writ of error cases addressing related questions.
Oliver v. State, 160 Ga. 365 (127 S.E. 732) Georgia writ of error example. Included in the list of writ of error decisions.
State v. Robbins, 106 Iowa 688 (77 N.W. 463) Iowa appeal decisions addressing furnishing records to indigents. Listed among appellate decisions in which the issue was decided on appeal.
State v. Wright, 111 Iowa 621 (82 N.W. 1013) Iowa appellate instance on related subject. Included among appellate cases referenced.
State v. Steidley, 133 Iowa 31 (110 N.W. 147) Iowa appellate decision. Listed among appellate examples concerning furnishing transcript/records.
State v. Harris, 151 Iowa 234 (130 N.W. 1082) Iowa appellate case on related issues. Included among appeals addressing the subject.
State v. Adams, 133 N.W. 706 Appellate decision example from Iowa/Nebraska grouping. Listed among appellate cases cited on the same topic.
State v. Dewey, 155 Iowa 469 (136 N.W. 533, 40 L.R.A. (N.S.) 478) Iowa appellate example. Listed among appellate cases in the opinion's survey.
State v. Kehr, 137 Iowa 91 (114 N.W. 542) Iowa appellate example. Included in the list of appellate decisions considered.
State v. Gray, 87 N.W. 416 Appellate decision in the broader survey. Listed among appellate cases cited by the court.
State v. Height, 88 N.W. 331 Appellate example in the cited survey. Included in the list of cases decided on appeal.
State v. Shaffer, 137 Iowa 93 (114 N.W. 540) Iowa appellate decision. Listed in the survey of appellate cases.
State v. Tonn, 190 Iowa 381 (180 N.W. 164) Iowa appellate decision addressing similar issues. Included among appeal cases cited.
Wilson v. Melcroft Coal Co., et al., 226 Ky. 744 (11 S.W.2d 932) Kentucky appellate decision listed among related authorities. Included among appellate decisions referenced in the opinion.
People v. Jones, 34 Hun. 620 (3 N.Y. Cr. Rep. 252) New York appellate example cited in the survey. Listed among appeals addressing related procedural matters.
People v. Willett, 3 N.Y. Cr. Rep. 54 New York case in the appellate grouping. Included among appellate cases cited.
State v. Marion, 200 N.C. 715 (158 S.E. 406) North Carolina appellate decision. Listed among appellate authorities in the opinion.
State v. Pike, 205 N.C. 176 (170 S.E. 649) North Carolina appellate instance. Included among cases decided on appeal.
State v. Stafford, 203 N.C. 601 (166 S.E. 734) North Carolina appellate example. Listed among appellate cases referenced by the court.
Banks v. State, 114 Tex. Cr. 219 (21 S.W.2d 517) Texas appellate example addressing related procedural issues. Included among appellate cases cited.
Kelly v. State, 69 Tex. Cr. 550 (155 S.W. 225) Texas appellate decision. Listed among Texas appeals in the survey.
Ballinger v. State, 110 Tex. Cr. 148 (8 S.W.2d 159) Texas appellate example cited. Included among appeals referenced in the opinion.
Cummings v. State, 104 Tex. Cr. 117 (282 S.W. 227) Texas appellate case. Listed among Texas appeals addressing similar issues.
Fuller v. State, 110 Tex. Cr. 631 (10 S.W.2d 556) Texas appellate example. Included among appellate decisions cited by the court.
Herrera v. State, 78 Tex. Cr. 259 (180 S.W. 1097) Texas appellate decision in the cited survey. Listed among Texas appeals considered relevant.
Jackson v. State, 70 Tex. Cr. 292 (156 S.W. 1183) Texas appellate case cited. Included in the list of appellate authorities.
Burden v. State, 70 Tex. Cr. 349 (156 S.W. 1196) Texas decision in the appellate grouping. Listed among appeals addressing similar procedural matters.
Belote v. State, 123 Tex. Cr. 468 (59 S.W.2d 161) Texas appellate example. Included among appellate cases cited.
Sisson v. State, 92 Tex. Cr. 601 (244 S.W. 1012) Texas appellate decision listed in the survey. Included among appeals referenced by the court.
Akers v. State, 94 Tex. Cr. 413 (251 S.W. 228) Texas appellate example. Listed among appellate cases on related subjects.
Young v. State, 33 Okla. Cr. 255 (243 P. 763) Oklahoma appellate decision cited among authorities. Included in the list of cases decided on appeal.
Reed v. State, 53 Okla. Cr. 391 (12 P.2d 551) Oklahoma appellate example. Listed among appellate cases addressing furnishing records.
Noel v. State, 17 Okla. Cr. 308 (188 P. 688) Oklahoma appellate decision. Included among appellate authorities cited by the court.
Lenora v. State, 51 Okla. Cr. 291 (1 P.2d 832) Oklahoma appellate example. Listed among appeals considered in the survey.
Brogdon v. State, 38 Okla. Cr. 269 (260 P. 784) Oklahoma appellate decision. Included in the array of appellate cases cited.
Clark v. State, 39 Okla. Cr. 116 (263 P. 679) Oklahoma appellate example. Listed among cases decided on appeal relevant to the subject.
Moore v. State, 33 Okla. Cr. 304 (243 P. 995) Oklahoma appellate decision cited by the court. Included among appellate authorities in the opinion.
Hembree v. State, 53 Okla. Cr. 79 (7 P.2d 491) Oklahoma appellate example. Listed among appellate cases addressing related issues.
Jeffries v. State, 9 Okla. Cr. 573 (132 P. 823) Oklahoma appellate decision. Included among appellate cases in the opinion's survey.
Hutchins v. State, 13 Okla. Cr. 717 (167 P. 338) Oklahoma appellate example. Listed among appeals cited by the court.
Harris v. State, 10 Okla. Cr. 417 (137 P. 365) Oklahoma appellate decision. Included among appellate cases referenced.
Wainwright v. State, 11 Okla. Cr. 547 (149 P. 914) Oklahoma appellate example. Listed among appellate authorities in the opinion.
Corliss v. State, 12 Okla. Cr. 526 (159 P. 1015) Oklahoma appellate decision. Included among appellate cases cited by the court.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The court addressed two principal matters: the motion for a free transcript under Section 28-705, Oregon Code 1930, and the alleged error in denying a change of judge.

1) Construction of the statute and standard of review: The court examined Section 28-705, which authorizes the trial court to order a transcript at public expense "if in the opinion of the judge justice will be thereby promoted." The court concluded that the statute confers discretion on the trial judge whether to order a free transcript and that an appellate court will not set aside the trial judge's exercise of that discretion in the absence of a showing of abuse. To support this construction the court cited comparable decisions from Iowa and Washington (State v. Waddle; State ex rel. Marr v. Superior Court), and reviewed authorities from other jurisdictions showing that some courts treat the matter as discretionary while others treat it as mandatory under differing statutory language.

2) Application to the record: The court found nothing in the record demonstrating abuse of discretion by the trial judge in denying defendant's motion for a free transcript. The court noted that the principal question pressed in defendant's motion for a new trial—whether the trial judge should have been changed—could be decided without recourse to the transcript of testimony. As to the allegation of insufficient evidence, the court observed there was no showing by defendant that the evidence was insufficient and that the court could not presume insufficiency. The court also indicated that a narrative of the facts could be incorporated into a bill of exceptions and that no such narrative was before the court.

3) Sufficiency of defendant's affidavits regarding change of judge: The court analyzed the timing and form of defendant's letter and affidavit seeking a change of judge. It concluded the January 23 letter was not a proper motion (no title, no jurat, not accompanied by an affidavit) and that the February 9 affidavit failed to comply with the statutory requirement that the affidavit state it was made in good faith and not for delay and be filed at the proper time (within one day after the action was at issue unless the court allows otherwise). Because the letter and affidavit were not timely or in proper form, the court could not say the trial court committed reversible error in denying the request for a change of judge.

4) Motion to dismiss appeal for lack of transcript: The court rejected the district attorney's motion to dismiss the appeal for lack of a transcript, finding that the sufficiency of the indictment and verdict could be tested by the existing record and that the single assignment of error (denial of change of judge) could be considered.

Holding and Implications

Holding: The Oregon Supreme Court denied defendant's motion for a free transcript and affirmed the judgment of the circuit court. The court also overruled the district attorney's motion to dismiss the appeal for failure to file a transcript or bill of exceptions.

Implications: The direct effect is that defendant's motion for a free transcript at public expense was denied and his conviction and judgment were affirmed. The court applied a discretionary construction to Section 28-705, Oregon Code 1930, holding that whether a transcript should be furnished at public expense rests in the trial judge's discretion and that denial will be upheld unless the record shows an abuse of that discretion. The opinion does not announce or claim to establish a new legal principle beyond its statutory construction and application to the facts of this case.

STATE v. MORGAN

In Banc.

KELLY, J.

Defendant has filed a motion herein for an order directing the trial judge to issue an order providing defendant with a free transcript of testimony and proceedings taken at the trial of the above cause, and requiring the trial judge to extend the time for perfecting defendant's appeal herein until said testimony and record can be transcribed and an opportunity afforded defendant's counsel to examine said transcript and prepare a proper bill of exceptions thereon.

On the 2d day of April, 1935, defendant made an affidavit requesting the trial court to order the official reporter to furnish defendant with a transcript of the testimony taken by said reporter at the trial of the above entitled cause. Omitting the title of the cause and the jurat, said affidavit is as follows:

"State of Oregon, | ss. County of Clatsop. |

I, J.F. Morgan, being first duly sworn, depose and say that I am the defendant in the above entitled cause, that I am wholly without funds or means, nor can I obtain funds or means with which to defray the cost of obtaining transcript of the testimony taken in shorthand by the official reporter in the above entitled cause, and that I have a good cause of appeal as shown by motion for new trial heretofore filed herein and arguments thereof, and that justice will be promoted by the court herein allowing the accompanying motion which I request, and do hereby request that the official reporter herein be ordered and directed to furnish me with a transcript of the testimony taken by him in shorthand at the trial of the above entitled cause.

J.F. Morgan."

An oral motion for the relief thus requested was also made by defendant.

The trial court denied said motion on the ground that sufficient cause had not been shown, by affidavit or otherwise, to justify such an order.

The motion for a new trial mentioned in the foregoing affidavit was based upon three grounds:

I.

Insufficiency of the evidence to justify the verdict and judgment, and that it is against law.

II.

Error in law occurring in the trial and excepted to by defendant herein.

III.

Irregularity in the proceedings of the court, jury and adverse party, orders of the court, abuse of discretion, by which defendant herein was prevented from having a fair trial.

Omitting the title of the cause and the jurat, defendant's affidavit in support of his motion for a new trial is as follows:

"State of Oregon, | ss. County of Clatsop. |

I, J.F. Morgan being first duly sworn, depose and say that I am the Defendant in the above entitled cause and in connection with my motion for a new trial herein and in particular paragraph No. 3 thereof I do aver that as shown on the records and files of this case and in particular by a letter written by me to Honorable Judge H.K. Zimmerman, judge of the entitled court, and delivered to said judge on the 23rd day of January, 1935, said letter also being described as State's exhibit No. 21 herein, I did request a change of judge on the ground that said Honorable Judge Zimmerman was prejudiced against me and at the time I wrote said letter I did not have an attorney to advise me, and further on the 9th day of February, 1935 I did confirm said letter by the filing of a formal affidavit of prejudice as shown by the records and files herein, and on the 9th day of February, 1935, an order was entered herein denying my request of January 23, 1935 for a change of judge, and that by reason thereof there was an irregularity in the proceedings, an abuse of discretion on account of said order by which I was prevented from having a fair trial.

J.F. Morgan."

Under the common law, the courts had the discretionary power of allowing a party indicted to defend as a pauper: 1 Chitty's Criminal Law, 412, 413; Rex v. Wright, et ux., Vol. II, Strange's Rep. 1041.

Section 28-705, Oregon Code 1930, among other things, provides:

"* * * that when the defendant in any criminal cause who shall have perfected an appeal from judgment against him presents to the judge satisfactory proof, by affidavit or otherwise, that he is unable to pay for such transcript, the court, if in the opinion of the judge justice will be thereby promoted, may order said transcript to be made; * * *."

The question here presented is whether an abuse of discretion has been shown on the part of the trial judge in denying defendant's motion for a transcript of the testimony under the above quoted statute.

Section 3777 of the Code of Iowa, 1873 (18 G.A. Ch. 195, Sec. 2; Sec. 5029 McClain's Ann. Code of Iowa, 1888), contained a provision like the one above quoted from said section 28-705 of the Oregon Code. In construing the above cited section of the Iowa Code the supreme court of that state, being called upon to make an order requiring a transcript of the testimony to be furnished to an indigent defendant, said:

"The advisability of making such an order as was asked in this case rests peculiarly within the discretion of the trial judge. He is conscious of the character of the case, the nature of the testimony, the severity of the punishment, and of all the facts and circumstances surrounding the case; and we must presume that his discretion was wisely exercised. He no doubt was fully impressed with the responsibility resting upon him, and has decided the case under his oath, according to the very right of the matter. Evidently the trial judge was of the opinion that justice would not be promoted by making the order. We, of course, do not have the testimony, and are unable to say what questions are presented therein. Such of the record as we do have does not indicate an abuse of discretion on the part of the trial judge." State v. Waddle, 94 Iowa, 748 ( 64 N.W. 276).

Subsequent to the decision in the Waddle case, the Iowa statute was amended by omitting the clause, "if in the opinion of the judge justice will be thereby promoted".

The state of Washington has a similar statutory provision (Vol. 2 Rem. Rev. Stat., 1932, § 42-5). In construing this provision the supreme court of Washington say:

"The statute before us involves more than the mere indigence of the defendant. It prescribes that if the presiding judge does not think justice will be promoted, he shall not order a free transcript of the evidence for the accused on appeal. Although it is possible, it is not manifest that the discretion of the trial judge was abused in this instance. It cannot justly be said that this usurps the functions of this court, which in such cases are purely appellate, while the superior court is a court of general and exclusive jurisdiction, except for the correction of errors in the matters and ways provided by law. The language of the statute is very broad and vests in the trial judge almost absolute discretion. Its language is: `if in his opinion justice will thereby be promoted [he] may order said transcript to be made by the official reporter.'" State ex rel. Marr v. Superior Court for Pierce County et al., 163 Wn. 459 ( 1 P.2d 331).

These opinions from Iowa and Washington support the above construction of the Oregon statute namely that it is discretionary with the trial judge to determine whether an order should be made for a transcript of testimony at the expense of the county; and, unless the record discloses an abuse of that discretion, the order of the trial judge, denying defendant's motion for such an order, should be upheld.

We find nothing in the record of the instant case showing an abuse of such discretion.

The question stressed by defendant's motion for a new trial is one which may be determined without recourse to the testimony. That question is whether the trial court erred in overruling defendant's motion for a change in respect to the judge who should preside at defendant's trial.

There is no showing by defendant with respect to the alleged insufficiency of evidence. We cannot presume that the evidence was insufficient. There is no showing to the effect that a narrative statement of the facts can not be incorporated in a bill of exceptions. Both reason and experience impel us to believe that such a course is open to defendant. Such a narrative is not before us. In fact, we are without any basis for holding that the trial court abused its discretion in refusing to burden Clatsop county with the expense of a transcript of testimony herein.

To obtain the relief sought herein, the requisite showing by affidavits or other verified statement of facts should be made in the trial court from which facts it would be manifest that in the exercise of judicial discretion the trial judge should furnish defendant with a transcript of the testimony at the expense of the public.

A review of the legislative expression upon the subject of supplying an indigent defendant with a record for the purpose of an appeal is set forth in the American Law Institute's proposed Code of Criminal Procedure at page 1270, et seq.

In examining statutory provisions of other states upon the subjects of indigent criminal appellants and the duty of the officers of the court to furnish them records for the purposes of appeal, we find none except the two above noted which contain the clause, "if in the opinion of the judge justice will be thereby promoted". Those which we have had occasion to consider are: Alabama 1928, Secs. 3667, 3248 and 10259; Arkansas, Kirby's Dig. Secs. 2469, 2471 and 2626; Dig. of Stats. Arkansas, Crawford Moses 1921, Sec. 2251, (construed in Jordan v. State, 102 Ark. 43 ( 143 S.W. 131)); Arizona 1928 Rev. Code, Sec. 5141; California, Vol. 4 Kerrs Cyc. of Codes (Pen. Code) Sec. 1246; Colorado Comp. Laws 1921, p. 1822, Sec. 7114; Connecticut, Sec. 2260, Gen. Stat. Rev. of 1930 (Gen. Stat. 1918, Sec. 5840, construed in State v. Klein, 95 Conn. 451 ( 112 A. 524), repealed); Florida Comp. Gen. Laws, 1927, Secs. 8479 and 8489; Georgia Code 1933, Sec. 6-203; Idaho Code Ann. 1932, Sec. 19-2303; Iowa Code 1931, Sec. 14000; Illinois, Smith-Hurd, Ill. Rev. Stats. 1935, Ch. 38, 769-a; Indiana, 2 Burns Stats. Ann. 1933, Sec. 4-3511; Carroll's Kentucky Stats. 1930, Sec. 4645 a-4; Louisiana, Vol. 1, Gen. Stats. (Dart) Secs. 1400, 1404; Maine Rev. Stats. 1930, Sec. 28, pp. 1658, 1659 (restricted to murder cases); Vol. 1, Gen. Laws, Mass. 1932, Ch. 278, Sec. 18; Vol. 3, Michigan Compiled Laws 1929, Sec. 13781; Mississippi Vol. 1, Code 1930, Sec. 725, pp. 498, 499; Missouri, 4 Stats. Ann. 1932, Sec. 3756, p. 3292 (applicable to murder cases only); Montana, Vol. 3, Rev. Code 1921, Sec. 8931; Comp. Stat. Neb. 1929, Secs. 27-339 and 29-2306; Supp. to Comp. Stats. of N.J. 1925-1930, Sec. 53-145c (2), Session Laws, 1927, p. 235, Ch. 125, Sec. 2; Vol. 2, Laws N.Y. 1933, p. 1226, Ch. 591 (restricted to capital cases); North Dakota, 1913 Comp. Laws, Sec. 11002; North Carolina Code 1931, Sec. 4651; Oklahoma 1931 Stats. Sec. 3823; Ohio Throckmorton's Ann. Code 1934, Sec. 1552; Pennsylvania, Vol. 19, Purdon's Stats. Ann. Sec. 1232 (restricted to murder cases); Rhode Island Gen. Laws, 1923, Ch. 328, Sec. 4; Vol. 1, South Carolina Code of Laws, 1932, Civ. Proc. Sec. 779, Cr. Proc. Sec. 1033; Vol. 1, South Dakota Comp. Laws 1929, Sec. 4939; Texas, Vol. 3, Vernon's Ann. Crim. Stats. Art. 760, sub-div. 6, p. 77; Rev. Stats. Utah 1933, Sec. 28-7-3, p. 459; 1933 Public Laws of Vermont, Sec. 1387 (In cases of imprisonment for ten years or more, trial judge may require transcript to be filed with clerk.); Vol. 2, Virginia Code 1930, Sec. 4938; Washington, Vol. 2, Rem. Rev. Stat. Sec. 42-5; West Virginia Code 1932 Ann., p. 1868, Sec. 5803; Wyoming Comp. Stats. 1920, Sec. 1172.

Formerly, in California, a transcript of testimony was furnished defendant on appeal. Vol. 4, Kerrs Cyc. of Codes (Pen. Code) Section 1246. Subsequently, this section was amended rendering rules of judicial council applicable: Penal Code, California, Sec. 1246, p. 631.

There is judicial statutory construction declaring that the duty is upon the trial court to furnish defendant with a record where a prima facie showing of indigence is made by defendant and no counter showing is interposed by the prosecution: State v. Van Gorder, 192 Iowa, 353 ( 184 N.W. 638); State v. Goodsell, 136 Iowa, 445 ( 113 N.W. 826); Smith v. Bastin, 192 Ky. 164 ( 232 S.W. 415); Smith v. Sisters of the Good Shepherd, 27 Ky. Law Rep. 1170 (87 S.W. 1076).

In the following cases, such a course is held to be discretionary with the trial judge: State v. Klein, 95 Conn. 451 ( 112 A. 524); Merrick v. The State, 63 Ind. 327; Falkenburgh v. Jones, 5 Ind. 296; Ex parte Morgan, 122 Ind. 428 ( 23 N.E. 863); Comp. Stat. Nebraska, 1922, Secs. 10184 and 11123; Rice v. State, 120 Neb. 641 ( 234 N.W. 566); Argabright v. State, 46 Neb. 822 ( 65 N.W. 886); Vol. 17, Purdon's Penn. Stat., Secs. 1809 and 1810; Commonwealth v. Kosh, 16 Pa. Dist. Co. Reps. 634; State ex rel. Marr v. Superior Court (Wash.) supra; State ex rel. Coella v. Fenimore, Clerk, 2 Wn. St. 370 (26 P. 807); Stowe v. State, 2 Wn. St. 124 (25 P. 1085); State ex rel. Mahoney v. Ronald, Judge, 117 Wn. 641 ( 202 P. 241, 243); State ex rel. Whitfield v. Superior Court, 125 Wn. 667 ( 216 P. 887).

In some instances in sister jurisdictions, the question here involved has been presented by proceedings in mandamus: Kendall v. Rudderow, 35 Ariz. 453 ( 281 P. 37); Falkenburgh v. Jones, supra; State ex rel. Martin v. Wofford, Judge, 121 Mo. 61 ( 25 S.W. 851); State ex rel. Scales v. Zachritz, Judge, 145 Mo. 269 ( 46 S.W. 961); State ex rel. Lashley v. Ittner, 315 Mo. 68 ( 285 S.W. 509), changed and reprinted in 292 S.W. 707; Ex parte Fread, 83 Tex.Crim. R. ( 204 S.W. 113); Arbuckle v. State, 103 Tex. Cr. 129 ( 280 S.W. 824); State ex rel. Coella v. Fenimore, supra; State ex rel. Mahoney v. Ronald, Judge, supra; State ex rel. Wigal v. Wilson, 43 Okla. 112 ( 141 P. 426) (a civil case).

In others, by certiorari, State v. Nash, 109 N.C. 822 ( 13 S.E. 733); State ex rel. Marr v. Superior Court, supra.

In one instance, at least, an attempt was made to present it by habeas corpus: Ex parte Wigger, 39 Okla. Cr. 108 ( 263 P. 1112).

In other instances, in that jurisdiction and other jurisdictions, it was determined by writ of error: Rolle v. State, 115 Fla. 64 ( 154 So. 892); Reddick v. State, 45 Ga. App. 353 ( 164 S.E. 455); Summerour v. State, 172 Ga. 560 ( 158 S.E. 327); Bowden et al. v. State, 36 Ga. App. 751 ( 138 S.E. 246); Oliver v. State, 160 Ga. 365 ( 127 S.E. 732); Rice v. State, supra; Argabright v. State, supra.

In other instances, by writ of review: Rast v. State, 77 Fla. 225 ( 81 So. 523); State ex rel. Langhorne v. Superior Court, 32 Wn. 80 ( 72 P. 1027); State ex rel. Whitfield v. Superior Court, supra.

And in still other jurisdictions, on appeal: State v. Klein, supra; Merrick v. State, supra; Ex parte Morgan, supra; State v. Waddle, supra; State v. Goodsell, supra; State v. Robbins, 106 Iowa 688 ( 77 N.W. 463); State v. Wright, 111 Iowa 621 ( 82 N.W. 1013); State v. Steidley, 133 Iowa 31 ( 110 N.W. 147); State v. Harris, 151 Iowa 234 ( 130 N.W. 1082); State v. Adams, 133 N.W. 706; State v. Dewey, 155 Iowa 469 ( 136 N.W. 533, 40 L.R.A. (N.S.) 478); State v. Kehr, 137 Iowa 91 ( 114 N.W. 542); State v. Gray, 87 N.W. 416; State v. Height, 88 N.W. 331; State v. Shaffer, 137 Iowa 93 ( 114 N.W. 540); State v. Van Gorder, supra; State v. Tonn, 190 Iowa 381 ( 180 N.W. 164); Wilson v. Melcroft Coal Co., et al., 226 Ky. 744 ( 11 S.W.2d 932); Smith v. Bastin, supra, (this is a suit for mandatory injunction); People v. Jones, 34 Hun. 620 (3 N.Y. Cr. Rep. 252); People v. Willett, 3 N.Y. Cr. Rep. 54; State v. Marion, 200 N.C. 715 ( 158 S.E. 406); State v. Pike, 205 N.C. 176 ( 170 S.E. 649); State v. Stafford, 203 N.C. 601 ( 166 S.E. 734); Banks v. State, 114 Tex. Cr. 219 ( 21 S.W.2d 517); Kelly v. State, 69 Tex. Cr. 550 ( 155 S.W. 225); Ballinger v. State, 110 Tex. Cr. 148 ( 8 S.W.2d 159); Cummings v. State, 104 Tex. Cr. 117 ( 282 S.W. 227); Fuller v. State, 110 Tex. Cr. 631 ( 10 S.W.2d 556); Herrera v. State, 78 Tex. Cr. 259 ( 180 S.W. 1097); Jackson v. State, 70 Tex. Cr. 292 ( 156 S.W. 1183); Burden v. State, 70 Tex. Cr. 349 ( 156 S.W. 1196); Belote v. State, 123 Tex. Cr. 468 ( 59 S.W.2d 161); Sisson v. State, 92 Tex. Cr. 601 ( 244 S.W. 1012); Akers v. State, 94 Tex. Cr. 413 ( 251 S.W. 228); Young v. State, 33 Okla. Cr. 255 ( 243 P. 763); Reed v. State, 53 Okla. Cr. 391 ( 12 P.2d 551); Noel v. State, 17 Okla. Cr. 308 ( 188 P. 688); Lenora v. State, 51 Okla. Cr. 291 ( 1 P.2d 832); Brogdon v. State, 38 Okla. Cr. 269 ( 260 P. 784); Clark v. State, 39 Okla. Cr. 116 ( 263 P. 679); Moore v. State, 33 Okla. Cr. 304 ( 243 P. 995); Hembree v. State, 53 Okla. Cr. 79 ( 7 P.2d 491); Jeffries v. State, 9 Okla. Cr. 573 ( 132 P. 823); Hutchins v. State, 13 Okla. Cr. 717 ( 167 P. 338); Harris v. State, 10 Okla. Cr. 417 ( 137 P. 365); Wainwright v. State, 11 Okla. Cr. 547 ( 149 P. 914); Corliss v. State, 12 Okla. Cr. 526 ( 159 P. 1015).

As stated, it does not appear that it was an abuse of judicial discretion on the part of the learned trial judge to deny defendant's motion for an order that a transcript of testimony be furnished defendant at the expense of Clatsop county. Defendant's motion to the same effect presented in this court is denied.

KELLY, J.

Argued November 8; affirmed December 10, 1935. ON THE MERITS ( 52 P.2d 186)

Department 1.

KELLY, J.

Defendant, being convicted of rape, appeals.

At the oral argument, the district attorney moved for a dismissal of defendant's appeal on the ground that no brief, bill of exceptions or transcript of testimony had been filed. No assignment of error was made until said oral argument, at which time a typewritten assignment was presented and filed. The question of the sufficiency of the indictment and of the verdict to sustain the judgment may be tested by such a record as we have in the instant case; hence, the motion for dismissal must be overruled and it is so ordered.

But one assignment of error is presented here, and that is to the effect that in denying defendant's request for another judge to preside at his trial the court committed error.

Defendant was arraigned and entered a plea of not guilty on Monday, January 21, 1935. Thereafter, a letter, bearing date January 23, 1935, written by defendant and addressed to the trial judge, was brought to the trial judge. Omitting its formal parts, the contents of the letter are as follows:

"Beliveing yourself to be prejudicial to myself and beliveing it to be in all fairness to justice and myself, I hereby request that I be granted a change and have a judge other than yourself to preside at my comeing trial and that the appointment of an attorney be left to the judge who may be appointed to preside at said trial."

On the 9th day of February, 1935, defendant made and filed herein an affidavit referring to said letter, stating that the sheriff informed defendant that he, the sheriff, had delivered said letter to the trial judge on said 23d day of January, 1935; that on the 24th day of January, 1935, the district attorney informed defendant that the court had refused defendant's request; and on the 25th day of January, 1935, defendant was taken into court and notified by the judge that defendant's request had been refused. Said affidavit of defendant concludes as follows:

"That the court denied my request but that no written order has been entered in regard thereto and at this time I wish to have my request actually filed as to indictment numbered 1. That I believe the Hon. H.K. Zimmerman is prejudiced against me and that I believe that I cannot have a fair and impartial trial before him."

On said 9th day of February, 1935, an order was made denying defendant's request for a change of judge.

The statute, in effect, when defendant's affidavit for change of judge was filed, provided that:

"Any party to or any attorney appearing in any action, suit or proceeding in a circuit court may establish such prejudice by motion supported by affidavit that the judge before whom the action or suit is pending is prejudiced against such party or attorney, so that such party or attorney cannot, or believes that he cannot, have a fair and impartial trial before such judge, and that it is made in good faith and not for the purpose of delay, and shall be filed with such motion at any time prior thereto or within one day after such action, suit or proceeding is at issue upon a question of fact, or such further time as the court may allow, and not otherwise, * * *." Section 1-406, Oregon Code 1930, as amended by Oregon Laws 1933, Chap. 375, p. 595.

It would be an unwarranted construction to hold that the letter above quoted constitutes a motion. It does not bear the title of any cause. When it was transmitted to the trial judge, it was unattended by any affidavit. The affidavit of February 9, 1935, does not comply with the above quoted section of the statute in that it fails to state "that it is made in good faith and not for the purpose of delay".

Moreover, neither the letter nor the affidavit was filed prior to or within one day after issue was joined by the plea of not guilty. From the affidavit, it appears that there were two or more indictments pending against defendant and, until the statement was made in his affidavit that defendant desired the letter filed as to indictment numbered 1, the clerk doubtless was at a loss to know to which case the defendant desired it to apply.

In this state of the record, we cannot say that reversible error was committed by the trial court in denying defendant's request for a change of judge.

The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.

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STATE v. MORGAN
(Dec 10, 1935)