Ex parte Sloane

95 Ala. 22 | Ala. | 1891

COLEMAN, J.

Section 3725 of the Code reads as follows : “Every homicide perpetrated by poison, lying in wait, or any other kind of willful, deliberate, malicious and premeditated killing, ... is murder in the first degree; every other homicide, committed under such circumstances as would have constituted murder at common law, is murder in the second degree.”

The declaration of rights in the Constitution of the State, section 17, provides “that all persons shall, before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses, where the proof is evident, or the presumption is great.” Murder in the first degree may be punished capitally. The four ingredients necessary to constitute murder in the first degree — willful, deliberate, malicious and premeditated— have each often been the subject of judicial construction by this court, as well as by other tribunals. We will not undertake it again. — Lang v. State, 84 Ala. 1; Mitchell v. State, 60 Ala. 26; Hornsby v. State, 94 Ala. 55; 10 So. Hep. 522; Humill v. State, 90 Ala. 582. Words of provocation, not accompanied with an assault, or acts evincing an intention to resort to immediate use of force,' can not reduce the killing from murder to manslaughter. The record shows that there was no assault made upon the defendant, and no act indicating an intention to resort to the use of immediate force against him by the deceased.

"We are of opinion that tbe words or conduct of another, under some circumstances, may be of such an insulting or provoking character as to kindle sudden passion, and provoke immediate resentment, even to the taking of life. Watson v. State, 82 Ala. 12. If the insult or provocation is of such a character as is reasonably calculated to kindle passion and provoke sudden resentment, and if the proof shows that the insult or provocation had this effect, and the homicide is traceable solely to the influence of passion kindled by the insult or provocation, then such killing is not willful, malicious, deliberate and premeditated, and is not murder in the first degree, but murder in the second degree. Mere words, however offensive, can not reduce the offense to manslaughter.

On the other hand, the extent and character of the insult, or provocation offered, considered in connection with the state of feeling between the parties, and other attending circumstances, may be such as to justify the conclusion that the words or conduct of deceased were seized upon as a pretext to execute a previously formed design to take life. Although the design to take life may have been executed instantly after being formed, if it proceeded from willfulness, malice, deliberation and premeditation, the offense would be murder in the first degree. — Hornsby v. State, 94 Ala. 55; 10 So. Rep. 522. The degree of the offense— that is, whether the fatal shot was the result of giving away to sudden passion, reasonably excited, and.in resentment of , the insult or provocation, or in execution of a formed design, as explained and qualified- — is a question of fact to be determined by the jury from all the circumstances in the case. A discussion of the facts might unduly prejudice the defendant when put upon his trial.

It is held in this State, as a safe rule by which the question of bail must be determined, when a malicious homicide is charged, to refuse bail in all cases where a judge would sustain a capital conviction, if pronounced by a jury, on such evidence of guilt as was exhibited to him on the hearing of the application to admit to bail; and in instances where the evidence is of less efficacy, to admit to bail. This rule was declared in (Commonwealth v. Keeper of the Prison, 1 Ash-mead, and adopted by this court as a proper construction of a similar clause in our Constitution.- — Ex parte Bryant, 34 Ala. 276; Ex parte Nettles, 58 Ala. 275; Ex parte McAnally, 53 Ala. 498. It is equally well settled in this State, “that when the question is presented to a revisory court, much is due to the judgment of the primary tribunal. The witnesses are personally before it, and tbe examination is usually bad near tbe scene of tbe alleged offense, and in tbe midst of tbe circumstances attending tbe transaction. In all investigations of criminal accusations, much depends upon tbe manner in which tbe witnesses testify, tbe feeling of partiality or prejudice they may manifest, and their general demeanor. These tbe primary court bas tbe opportunity of observing, and it should be clear that it has erred in its judgment, or a revisory court should abstain from interference.” — Ex parte Me Anally, supra; Ex parte Nettles, supra.

Applying these principles to tbe facts as presented in tbe record, we feel it our duty to deny tbe application for bail.

Application denied.