People v. Vermilyea

Lead Opinion

Curia, per Woodworth, J.

This case has been discussed by the counsel with great ability. The court has been ma terially aided by the researches they have made.

The Opinion which I expressed on allowing the certiorari, has been confirmed; as well by the arguments at the bar, as by my own investigation.

It was not denied by the counsel for the people, that if the challenge to Norwood was for principal cause, the proceedings in the court below became matter of record; and wfere liable to review in this court. I shall therefore not add anything to what I said upon the subject, on the former occasion.

The first question which I shall consider, will be, whethbr the forming or expressing by a juror of an opinion, that the party whom he is called to try, is guilty of the offence imputed to him by the indictment; such opinion being founded On the tearing Of all the testimony in a former trial Of the same indictment, constitutes a good cause of challenge ; and secondly, whether it is a principal cause, or merely one to the favor. ^[1]

It is admitted that every citizen, whether arraigned for crime or impleaded in a civil action, is entitled to a trial by a an<^ ™Par^a^ jury- The trial by jury is justly con s^ere<* an invaluable privilege; but it would become a mockery, if persons who had pre-judged the case were adxaittecl as impartial triors. All the elementary writers, with the exception of Ohitty, lay down the proposition broadly, that if a juror has declared his opinion beforehand, it is a good cause "of challenge. 1 Archbold, 181, 182; *2 Tidd. 779, 780; Bacon, title Juries, (E. 5;) Bull. N. P. 307; Hale’s Com. Law, 138. Lord Coke, (1 Co. on Littleton, 155, 6,) says, “ he ought to be least suspicious; that is, to be indifferent, as he stands unsworn, ánd then he is accounted in law, liber el legalis homo ; otherwise he may be challenged, and not suffered to be sworn.”

What is meant by a person standing indifferent ? Manifestly, that the mind is in a state of neutrality, as respects the person, and the matter-to be tried; that there exists no bias, for or against either party, in the mind of the juror, calculated to operate upon him; that he comes to the trial with a mind uncommitted, and prepared to weigh the evidence in impartial scales. It seems to me, that a juror in the situation of Mr. Norwood, so far from standing indifferent, had already condemned the defendants. He stated, that if the evidence on the second trial should be the same as on the first, he should pronounce them guilty.

It was well remarked by the defendants’ counsel, that unless the defendants produced some new and weighty evidence to change the preconceived opinion of the juror, their conviction was inevitable, so far as their conviction depended on him. We cannot presume that the evidence, on the part of the public, "would be less convincing than on the first trial; or that the defendants could adduce any important additional testimony. It will not be pretended that any of the jurors, who sat on the former trial, would be admissible as jurors on the second trial of the same indictment. I cannot discriminate between those jurors and Norwood. He had formed as decided an opinion on the merits' of the case, as any of them. That it is a valid exception to a juror, that he had previously given an opinion on the question in controversy, has been decided in this court, in the case of Blake v. Millspaugh, 1 John. 316, and Pringle v. Huse, 1 Cowen. 432.

It is a mistake to suppose that the case of Durell v. Mosher, 8 John, 445, overruled the decision of this court in Blake v. Millspaugh. I endeavored, on a former occasion, to show that the cases are perfectly consistent with each other. As far as my researches have extended, there *has been a uniformity of decision in all the courts of the several states of the union, and in the circuit court of the United States.

Chief Justice Swift, in his system, (2 vol. 232,) states the law of Connecticut, (and in this respect it is there understood to be the law of England,) that if a juror has published his opinion upon the particular case, it is a principal cause of challenge. In Massachusetts, if a juror is called, who was of the grand jury when the indictment was found, it has been held to render him not impartial, as a juror on the traverse of the indictment; and this without reference to any statutory provision.

The same doctrine was maintained by the constitutional court of South Carolina, (State v. Baldwin, 1 Con. Rep. S. C. 289, 301, 309, 321.)

I had occasion in my former opinion, to notice the decision of judge Iredell, on the motion for a new trial in the cause of Fries, and also, in my judgment, the conclusive arguments of chief justice Marshall, on the trial of Col. Burr. We have been referred to the impeachment of judge Chase, by the House of Eepresentatives of the United States. One of the articles against him was, for the admission of Basset, as a juror on the trial of Callender, under the alien and sedition law. Judge Chase, in his answer, admits the forming and expressing of an opinion on the merits of a case to be tried, disqualifies from serving as juror. He puts the admission of Basset, as a juror, upon the ground adopted by this court, in Durell v. Mosher, that a hypothetical opinion founded on mere rumor, does not disqualify. Since the trial of the indictment in this case, the trial of Merchant and Curtis took place in Massachusetts, before Mr. Justice Story; and every person who had formed or expressed an opinion of the guilt of the accused, was set aside. I apprehend that no adjudged case can be found, in any of the courts in this country, where a juror has been admitted who had formed a decided opinion on the merits of the case.

On the argument, thq case of The King v. Edmonds, (4 Barn. & Ald. 470,) was cited as an authority, that by *the common law of England, the expression of an opinion by a juror, of the defendant’s guilt, is not a cause of challenge, unless it be made in terms, or under circumstances denoting an ill intention towards the party challenging.

It was contended by the defendant’s counsel, that the opinion of the learned chief justice was extra-judicial, and also, that he had misquoted serjeant Hawkins, the authority principally relied on in support of the proposition. The charge calls for a critical examination.

Chief Justice Abbott, after citing Hawk. b. 2, ch. 42, s. 28, says, “the language of Mr. sergeant Hawkins, on this subject is, that if the juryman hath declared his opinion-beforehand, that the party is guilty, or will be hanged; yet if it should appear that the juror hath made such declaration from his knowledge of the cause, and not out of any ill will to the party, it is no cause of challenge.” And then the chief justice adds, “so that in the opinion of this learned writer, the declaration of a juryman will not be a good cause of challenge, unless it be made in terms, or under circumstances denoting an ill intention towards the party challenging.

The quotation from Hawkins is not correct; neither is the opinion imputed to him contained in the section.

The whole of the 28th section referred to by the chief justice, is thus: “It hath been adjudged a good cause of challenge on the part of the prisoner, that the juror hath a claim to the forfeiture, which shall be caused by the party’s attainder or conviction; or that he hath declared his opinion beforehand, that the party is guilty, or will be hanged, or the like; yet it hath been adjudged, that if it shall appear that the juror made such declaration, from his knowledge of the cause, and not out of any ill will to the party, it is no cause of challenge.”

Sergeant Hawkins, or Mr. Leach, the editor of the last edition of his treatise,- refers for. support of the first division, to wit: “ that it is a good cause of challenge, that a juror has declared his opinion beforehand, and that the party is guilty, or will be hanged, or the like,” to the 21 H. 7 iykere it was decided, that it is a good cause of challenge, , - . to say that a juryman has reported, that it he be empanne^e(^ ^ wpQ pags for the plaintiff; and for the second pr0pOSition, “ that it- hath been adjudged, that if it shall appear that the juror made such declaration from his knowledge of the cause, and not out of any ill will to the party, it is no cause of challenge,” the reference in Hawkins, is to 7 H. 6, which contains justice Babington’s charge to the triors, in an action of replevin, maintaining the doctrine stated by sergeant Hawkins. Thus, it is manifest, he gave no opinion of his own, but merely collected the contradictory opinions upon that question. Of this, there can be no doubt on referring to the 33d section of the same book and chapter; where he observes, “ But these matters seeming to be unsettled, I shall leave them to be further considered by others’ evidently referring to all the antecedent conflicting opinions, and not intending to express any opinion himself. It appears, then, that the doctrine laid down by Babington, justice, in 7 H. 6, was overruled by the king’s bench in 21 H. 7. It is somewhat remarkable that the chief justice seems to have adopted the former, and rejected the latter decision.

In the course of chief justice Abbott’s opinion, he refers to Peter Cook’s case, (13 St. Trials, 334,) to prove that a juror himself is not to be interrogated, when the cause of challenge tends to his dishonor; and that it is a very dishonorable thing for a man to express ill will towards a person accused of a crime, in regard to the matter of his accusation.

I cannot accede to the proposition that a juror may not be questioned, whether he has formed or expressed an opinion. In the case before us, it is altogether improbable that Norwood, when he declared his opinon, had any idea of being called on as a juror. Having heard the trial, he could scarcely avoid forming an opinion; and it by no means affects his honor or integrity to avow it. I cannot account for the silence of chief justice Abbott, when com menting on Peter Cook’s trial, as regards the right of *interrogating a juror in ease of a challenge, in not noticing the decision of the court, on the right of challenging a juror for having declared his opinion beforehand. That trial took place at the Old Bailey, in 1696. Peter Cook was indicted for high treason. He thus addressed the court: “ My lord, before the jury is called, I am advised, that if any of the jury have said already that I am guilty, or they will find me guilty, or I shall suffer, or will be hanged, or the like, they are not fit and proper men to be of the jury.’’ To which the lord chief justice Treby replied, “You say right, sir; it is a good cause of challenge.” Justice Bokeby said, “ that will be a sufficient cause, if when they come to the book, you object and be ready to prove it.”

Justice Powell said, “in a civil case, it would be a good cause of challenge, if a man have given his opinion about the right, one way or other.”

Trehy, chief justice, further remarked, “ but if any man in this panel have any particular displeasure to the prisoner, or be unindifferent, or have declared himself so, I do admonish and desire him to discover so much in general; for it is not fit, nor for the honor of the king’s justice, that such a man should serve on the jury.”

Thus it appears, that on Peter Cook’s trial, the great difficulty was, whether the jurors should be examined, to prove what the judge thought impeached their honor; that they had pre-judged the prisoner. But on the point, whether the expression of an opinion by a juror, of the prisoner’s guilt, was a good cause of challenge, the judges expressed themselves as I have stated. I have not found a single adjudged case, since the case of Peter Cook, controverting the opinion there expressed.

Upon the reason of the thing, the authority of adjudged cases, and the general understanding of the bench and bar, I have no doubt that the law is not chargeable with such injustice, as to warrant the admission of a juror, who, from a knowledge of the facts, or information derived from those who knew the facts, shall have formed or expressed an opinion. I might proceed to illustrate my views by analogy, between the case at bar, and other cases, where the right of challenge has never been disputed; but I deem it unnecessary; and will only add, that the statutory provision, authorizing the challenge of a grand juror, who shall be called on the petit jury to try the same indictment, is clearly in affirmance of the common law; and proves that when a man has formed an opinion, even upon an ex parte hearing, it is a valid exception to. him; a fortiori, the objection is conclusive, if the juror has formed an opinion upon hearing the whole case. That the statute is in affirmance of the common law, is clearly established. In 2 Haw. ch. 43, s. 27, the author observes, “ it is expressly enacted by 25th Ed. 3, c. 3, which seems to have been made in affirmance of the common law, that no indictor shah be put in inquests, upon deliverance of the indictees of felonies or trespass, if he be challenged for that same cause, by him which is so indicted.” This exception against a juror has also been adjudged good, “ upon the trial of another indictment or action, wherein the same matter is either in question, or-happens to be material, though not directly in issue.” (Ibid.)

Reeve, in that part of his history of the English law which relates to the reign of Edward 3, (2 Reeve, 459, 460,) gives this account of that statute: “It had become one of the commonest challenges taken to a juror, that he was one of the indictors: but notwithstanding the old law .allowed this challenge, it is doubtful how far it was observed ; for we find a petition of the commons in 14 Edward 3, for a law to confirm it. This was at length done by statute, 25 Ed. 3.”

To remove all doubt that such was the common law, it is mentioned by Britton, (ch. 4, fol. 12,) who wrote in the reign of Edward 1, and whose treatise is said to have been dictated by that prince, the Justinian of England, that a defendant might challenge a juror, because he was one qf those-who .indicted him.; and there was a presumption that all who indicted him still bore the same ill will against him. Britton wrote many, years before the statute 25th Edward 3, was passed.

*From this review it seems to follow, that the ingredient of ill will, superadded to an opinion formed, never was en-grafted upon the common law in England. The doctrine rests on the charge of justice Babington to the triors, in „ „ ,h ,, , ;' , H. 6; and cannot be reconciled with the acknowledged right of the accused to challenge a grand juror, who, by the finding of the indictment, had expressed an opinion on the subject. I have not discovered that Lord Coke refers to the case from 7 H. 6. It is difficult to account for the omission, except on the ground, that it was not considered authority; but be that as it may, it is evidently irreconcilable with Lord Coke’s doctrine on the subject of challenge.

The wisdom of the law has always required that the jurors should come to the trial without prejudice or partiality, as respects either party. Can it be for a moment supposed, that a man who had formed such an opinion as ¡Norwood had, could stand indifferent or impartial ? As observed in my former opinion, all experience proves the difficulty of getting rid of opinions deliberately formed. I have constantly referred to the juror ¡Norwood, because the case was argued on the exception to him; but several of the other jurors were equally exceptionable.

The remaining question is, was the opinion expressed by ¡Norwood a ground of principal challenge ? The court below judged rightly in considering it made for principal cause. Such challenges are for causes which, in judgment of law, indicate bias, or which, if found true, are sufficient of themselves, without being submitted to the discretion of triors; or for causes which prove evident favor or enmity in the juror. Trials per Pais, 122, 128.

If I have not erred in what I have already said, the law does presume that the expression of an opinion on the merits of a case indicates bias, or that the mind of the juror is decidedly unfavorable to the defendants. It is then a principal cause of challenge. All the authorities I have cited prove this to be correct. When the law has declared the consequences of a fact, and the fact be established, it becomes the duty of the court to make the application. *Otherwise, different sets of triors might decide differently; and thus the law itself be perverted.

Upon mature consideration, and a patient review of all the authorities, it is the opinion of the court, that the doc-^a^ ¿own by chief justice Abbott, in relation to the right of challenge, was not the common law of England, on the 19th of April, 1775, and never has been considered as the law in this country.

We yield more readily to the convictions expressed, because they accord with that indulgent spirit, always professed by the law towards the accused, as to the conduct of the prosecution, and the manner of trial. Its progress has always kept pace with political liberty. From the reign of the 1st James to that of Queen Ann, during which time the English constitution underwent some of its most material improvements, it remained unsettled, whether an offender, charged with a capital felony, was entitled even to examine witnesses on oath in his favor. In the struggle between the crown and aristocracy on the one hand, and the commons on the other, this question was not lost sight of. In the reign of James, the right was for the first time' carried by the commons: but it was only to a limited extent, being confined to the three northern counties of England, and to felonies committed in Scotland, but appointed to be tried in those counties. In the 7th of William 8, witnesses were first allowed to prisoners on trials for certain treasons; and in the first year of Queen Ann, the right was extended to all cases of treason and felony. 4 Black. Com. 360.

. It was not till the 7th William 3, that counsel was allowed to the prisoner in cases of high treason; and, to this day, a man indicted for a capital felony is denied counsel on the question of guilty or not guilty before the jury. This last fact is a singular feature in the history of English jurisprudence; but I confess, little more so, than that the king’s bench, in the 19th century, should have denied that a juror having expressed a deliberate opinion against a prisoner, was a cause of challenge. It is not surprising, that for the support of such a principle, scarce any *thing more can be found, than a solitary case in the remote, and comparatively dark ages of the law. A review of American authorities on the same question, placing the security of the citizen, as we think they do, on higher and more certain ground; a ground which is fortified by constitutions or statutes, giving the aid of counsel on all questions, furnishes matter of comparison, decidedly favorable to the institutions of our country. We may, I think, assert without arrogance, that the right of trial by jury has been cultivated with better skill, taken deeper root, and promises to shed a more benign and salutary influence in this land of constitutional liberty, than in the country of its origin.

Motion to °^ge T®™se¿ dovm on the civil side, &c.

I have now examined all the questions deemed material in this case. My brethren on the bench concurring in the views I have taken, the consequence is, that a valid principal cause of challenge having been overruled in the court below, a new trial must be granted.

[1] An hypothetical opinion as to guilt does not disqualify a juror, but it is some evidence of bias, upon which triors in their discretion may set a juror aside. Freeman, v. The People, 4 Denio, 9.

That á juror has formed an unfavorable opinion of the accused, is not enough to exclude him from the panel, if he believes that he can true deliverance make according to the evidence. The People v. Lohman, 2 Barb. 216.

Upon trial of challenge for principal causé, for having formed and Expressed an oniriidn of guilt or innocence; the challenging party cannot ask the

juror whether ho has an impression as to defendant’s guilt or innocence; otherwise, when the challenge is for favor on the ground of bias. People v. Honeyman, 3 Denio, 121.

On challenge for favor on account of bias, the juror should not be set aside unless he has such settled opinions that he could not render verdict on the evidence alone; (The People v. Bodine, 1 Denio, 281, explained.) Ib.

The forming and expressing an opinion by a juror upon the guilt or innocence of a party on trial for a felony is a principal cause of challenge; the mere forming of an opinion is enough. The People v Rathbun, 21 Wen. 509.

If a juror have expressed an opinion against the party, though from his knowledge of the cause, and not from any favor or ill will, yet this is a principal cause for challenge. Ex parte Vermilyea, 6 Cow. 655.

So, it seems, if his opinion be grounded on the information of those who are acquainted with the facts. Otherwise, where this opinion is grounded on mere rumor. Ib.

On challenge for favor, any circumstance from which prejudice may justly 06 inferred, although weak in degree, is admissible evidence before the triors; on such challenge a fixed opinion of guilt need not be shown, though it may be necessary on a challenge for principal cause. People v. Bodine, 1 Denio, 281.

A juror challenged for favor testifies before the triors that he had formed no opinion as to the guilt, but had an impression that the general character of the prisoner was bad. The question whether he would disregard what he had heard and read, and render verdict according to evidence, was objected to; allowed; and exception taken: held, that the question must elicit from the juror the conclusion whether he was conscious of Ms ability to render a verdict according to the evidence, notwithstanding his impressions, and was therefore properly allowed. Lohman v. The People, 1 Com. 380.

If a jvror has said, that if the reports of the neighbors were correct, the defendant was wrong, and the plaintiff was right, it is not a sufficient objection to his being sworn and empannelled. Durell v. Mosher, 8 J. R. 445.

It is a good cause of challenge to a juror, that he has previously given his opinion on the question in controversy between the parties. Blake v. Millspaugh, 1 J. R. 316.

A challenge to a juror for principal cause was sustained where the juror had said that he believed the defendant was guilty, although he testified that he had no fixed opinion upon the subject of the defendant’s guilt; that he only entertained impressions derived from history and common reports, meaning thereby printed statements in papers, and reports in conversations; that he had never heard witnesses to the transaction testify nor say anything on the subject in question; if the evidence supported the circumstances he had heard, he had a fixed belief respecting the guilt of the defendant;, if these circumstances should be done away by evidence, he should not consider him guilty. The People v. Mather, 4 Wen. 22.

So a juror was held properly excluded, on a challenge to the favor, who testified that he had formed, though he had not expressed, an opinion that the defendant was guilty. His opinion was formed upon reports and what he had read. On the trial of a former challenge, he had heard a witness testify respecting the subject in question. His opinion was made up previous to hearing that testimony, but what the witnesses had stated had tended to strengthen his opinion. He had read reports of trials and affidavits or statements under oath relating to the same subject. His opinion was made up from reading them and other matters. And the charge of the judge to the triors in this case was approved, in which he instructed them that if they believed that the juror had a fixed opinion, which it would require testimony to remove, he was disqualified, whether that opinion was founded on rumor alone or on rumor and printed statements. Ib.

A juror who has formed an opinion of the guilt of the accused is not competent to serve; although he declares that if the circumstances on which his opinion is founded are not supported by proof, his opinion of the guilt of the accused will be removed. Ib.

There is no distinction as to the grounds of the opinion formed by the juror of the guilt of the accused; whether it be founded on being an eyewitness, or on hearing the testimony of those who were present at the transaction, or whether it be based on rumors, reports and newspaper publications; in either case it is good cause of challenge. Ib.

• The law attaches the disqualification to the fact of forming and expressing an opinion, and does not look beyond, to examine the occasion or weigh the evidence on which that opinion was founded. The People v. Marvin, 4 Wen. 229; Blake v. Millspaugh, 1 J. R. 316; Pringle v. Huse, 1 Cow. 432.

There is, however, a distinction between positive and hypothetical opinion. Durell v. Mosher, 8 J. R. 445.

Oh.' J. Spencer considered that if the opinions of jurors were formed on mere rumors and reports, such opinions did not disqualify them. The People v. Van Alstyne, 6 Cow. 565; Coleman, v. Hagerman, ib.

Mr. J. Woodworth remarked, that the principle on which these cases were decided was, that an opinion formed and expressed by a juror, is of itself evidence that he does not stand indifferent between the parties. The People v. Mather, 4 Wen. 229.

Mr. J. Marcy observes: “That too much stress ought not to have been ilaid on the juror’s declaration, that if the circumstances on which his opinion ■was founded should not be supported by the evidence, his opinion of the defendant's guilt would be removed. Ib.

See N. Y. Dig. vol. 3, tit. Challenging.

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Concurrence Opinion

Savage, Ch. J.

I have nothing to add, except to "ex press my concurrence in the opinion delivered by Mr. Justice Woodworth ; and to say that Mr. Justice Sutherland (now absent) also concurs.

On this decision being pronounced,

D. Salden, for all the defendants, except Barker, moved that the cause be sent down for trial on the civil side; that the venue be changed from the city and county of Mew __ , _ , , , . .... York, to some other county, which the court might designate ; and that the court should also pronounce on a question which appeared on the return, relative to a variance between the indictment and the evidence given in the court below; a variance which he contended was fatal; but which the court below overruled as immaterial.

The motion to change the venue was founded on an affidavit of Yermilyea, that the defendants pleaded separately, not guilty; that after one trial of this cause at the oyer and terminer of Mew-York, in September, 1826, which lasted 25 days; the jury disagreed, and were discharged ;*that the cause was again tried in the same county, in Movember next thereafter ; and lasted 12 days. That during these trials the court room and the avenues and passages, were i crowded with spectators, a portion of whom expressed their -hostility to the defendants, by clapping hands, stamping and other means. That it appeared that most of the matters of complaint against the defendants were entirely distinct 5 but owing to the frame of the indictments, and the !r.ules adopted on the trial, they were admitted in evidence; and that various transactions' were proved, with which, part of the defendants appeared to have had no connection ; that owing to the failure of two certain incorporated companies who had practiced issuing bonds for the payment of money, held by, and yet unpaid, in the hands-of great numbers, mostly, if not entirely, in the city of Eew-York, and with each of which companies some of the defendants were connected, and the losses sustained by several other incorporated companies in the city, which losses were sought to be fixed on the defendants or some of them, added to other causes of individual dislikes, an extent of hostile feeling had been excited against the defendants in the city, which the deponent believed almost commensurate with its population. That the bond and stockholders'of the companies named, and those interested therein, were very numerous; and they, and those connected with them by ties of interest or relationship, comprehended a very large body of the people in the city.

That during the first trial, portions of the testimony and proceedings were published from day to day in some of the daily papers. That all the evidence, in many important respects erroneously stated, and injuriously to the defend? ants’ characters, was published after the jury retired, and before they returned, as the deponent believed, in all the daily papers of the city. That only parts of the testimony on the second trial were published, with the opening of the district attorney, and the charge of the judge; but not the speeches of counsel. That the charge was *calculated to excite public feeling against the defendants. From the above circumstances and others, the deponent believed, that the defendants could not have a fair and impartial trial in the city. That seven other indictments against other defendants, a portion of them including the nreseut defendants, or some of them, had also been found in the city, the sub- ’ J . ject of which, the deponent believed, came under examination in the trials of the indictment in this cause.

H. Maxwell, (district attorney,) read an affidavit of one of the marshals of the city, that he constantly attended both trials, to which his attention was directed. He believes that many attended from mere curiosity. That the clapping, stamping and other indications referred to in Yermilyea’s affidavit, took place during the trials when the the conduct of the defendant (Barker) was referred to; and were exhibited as well on one side as the other. That during the speeches of Barker, the audience seemed pleased and manifested their feelings several times by voice and movements of various kinds. That he did not believe any persons attended with a view of making any impression on the minds of the jury against the defendants. That during the examination of witnesses on the second trial, very few persons attended; and during that time, no intern* perate or improper conduct of any kind was manifested by any of the persons attending. That the speeches of Barker were published in the newspapers; and that he had published a pamphlet containing many matters respecting the trial. That from his opportunity of hearing the expression of public opinion, he believed there could be no difficulty in obtaining a jury in New York.

It further appeared from the certificate of the clerk of-the oyer and terminer, that a great number of jurors were returned at each of the terms at which the respective trials took place j and that juries were formed for both trials after very few challenges.

Seldom,, after discussing the question of variance, proceeded to that branch of the motion, which sought a *change of venue. In support of this, he relied mainly upon what was said by Ld. Mansfield in Rex v. Cowle, (2 Burr. 859, 60,) that “ where an impartial trial cannot be had in the proper county, it shall be tried in the nextand what he said to the same effect in Rex v. Harris, (3 Burr. 1333.)

At any rate, he said, the court will send this cause down ^or on ^ °ivil side. It was decided in The People v. Townsend, (1 John. Cas. 104,) that an indictment for perjury; 0nce removed to this court by certiorari, cannot be remitted to the court below for trial; that there is no process known to the law, which will carry it back. That in case of a misdemeanor, it must be tried at bar, or sent down to the circuit. And if the crime be felony, it was formerly doubted whether there was even an election to send it down to the circuit; whether it must not be tried at bar, if tried, in this - court at all. It is a general rule, that if a record once come into the king’s bench, (and the rule is of course the same as to this court,) it cannot be remanded.^(a) Had it not been for the statute (1 R. L. 496, s. 7, answering to 6 H. 8, c. 6,) indictments for felonies re: moved here, must always have remained. It is in virtue of that statute that they go down to the oyer and terminer of the proper county. Fazacharly v. Baldo, 1 Salk. 352; 6 Mod. 117, 8, S. C.

But suppose this court have a discretion: under the statute relating to felonies, they have a like discretion. They may, or may not send the cause down to the oyer and terminer. Thus, in Goodwin’s case, (People v. Goodwin, 18 John. 206,) which was manslaughter, the cause came to this court on certiorari; and was sent down to the sittings in this city for trial. Admitting, then, for the sake of argument, that the two cases stand on the same footing, we see that the court will prefer the civil side. It saves their immediate control of the whole case.

*Maxwell, (district attorney,) also examined the question of variance.

’ As to the other questions, he said no motion could be sustained to change the venue, in the proper sense of the word. That must be retained on the record. The only power the court possesses as to the place of trial, is, to order a suggestion upon the record, that an impartial trial cannot be had in this city; and direct a trial in some foreign county; or rather, as the cases cited from Burrow say, in the next, or next adjoining county. This is the farthest the cases have gone. Are the court prepared to say, that the case made out on the affidavits, will warrant a suggestion that an impartial trial cannot be had in this city; or if it cannot, that such a trial can be had in an adj oining county ? Three defendants have not felt themselves warranted in making any affidavit. Only one of them has sworn. He certainly shows but a limited state of excitement, at most; and even there, his affidavit is met by one equally strong on the other side. The expression of opinion in the affidavit is nothing, any farther than it is warranted by the particulars. In Rex v. Harris, (3 Burr. 1333,) Ld. Mansfield says, there must be a clear and solid foundation for the suggestion. And vid. New York v. Dawson, 2 John. Cas. 335, 6.

But if the affidavit of the defendant who has sworn, is enough to make out the necessary clear and solid foundation ; what evidence have the court that the same objection does not exist in the adjoining counties ? They, of course have heard as much of the trial, and have read the newspapers mentioned in the affidavits, even with more attention than many of the citizens of New York. In the more scattered and more inquisitive population of the country, we should, I believe, seek with less hope of an unbiassed jury than among the crowded and various population of a great city, though the very theatre of the alleged offence. The population here is more mixed; many are engaged in pursuits which prevent their attention from being particularly occupied with this affair. There cannot be a doubt that a large portion of the community can be found with minds wholly uncommitted, and coming within the strictest idea of impartial jurors, which the court have advanced; or that even the counsel concerned will think of advancing.

At any rate, the experiment should be made here. If it fails, the defendants can then move in August term.

Motion tc try Barker separately, Sc.

As to the power of the court to remit the record, if a statute was thought necessary to enable them to send back indictments for felony, it does not allow that One was required in case of misdemeanors. They are a less important class of crime.; and the propriety of their being remitted is more striking. There being :no statute on the subject, therefore; the inference would rather be that the court had the power at common law, By the statute, (1 R. L. 339, s. 15,) the power of the oyer and terminer is general, to hear and determine all crimes and misdemeanors, and deliver the gaols of all prisoners, without exception.

True, there is no writ in the books for carrying the cause back. But the usual practice has be'en, whenever a record is remitted, to enter an order or memorandum in the minutes of the court; and it is then remitted without any farther attention to form. This accounts for there being no writ.

T. J. Oakley, in reply, (after arguing the question of variance.) If the court can now judicially pass on this question, it is at least an additional reason why they should retain a prompt and complete control of the cause, by sending it down on the civil side, even if they have a right to send it to the oyer and terminer. It is a question of evidence, which cannot come up on bill of exceptions, (this being a criminal cause;) and the court will retain their control for the sake of saving the defendant’s rights in their full extent. The court can then grant a new trial for any mistake of the judge, as in a civil cause. (The People v. Crosswell, 1 Caines. 119.)

Barker, in person, moved for a rule that he be tried separately from the other defendants, by a struck jury, at the bar of the supreme court, or at the circuit on the civil side,

*Savage, Ch. J. Mr. Barker, have you given notice of this motion to the district attorney ?

Barker. I have not.

Ch. J. This was necessary. Savage,

Maxwell, (district attorney,) being present, consented that the motion should be made without notice.

Barker then read his own affidavit, that the case was rendered complicated by coupling him with others, and with transactions and institutions with which he had no connection; that the circuit judge declared during the first trial, that it was so complicated that the human mind was scarcely capable of comprehending its merits. That he pressed the oyer and terminer for a separate trial; and offered to swear that he did not think that any jury formed in the ordinary way, could be made to understand his case, if he should be tried in connection with the other defendants; but a separate trial was denied. That three defendants, originally included in the same indictment, had been separated before his motion to be tried separately was made; one of whom was afterwards tried and acquitted. That another had furnished papers against the deponent ; and that three of the counsel for the other defendants, made a violent attack on the deponent in summing up.

As a reason for a trial at bar, he urged that the case was one of great difficulty, and which required great examination. As such, it was within the meaning of the statute, (1 R. L. 325, s. 1,) which provides that the trial of such a case at bar may be ordered by this, court.

Savage, Ch. J. The counsel for three of the defendants move that the cause shall be carried down to the circuit for trial, instead of being remitted to the oyer and terminer ; and that the venue be changed. They also request us to instruct the circuit judge on a question of variance between the indictment and evidence, which was raised and passed upon by the court below. That court *held the variance to be immaterial. It is contended that they erred in this, among other things; and in returning to the certiorari, which was granted particularly to bring up the question challenge, they have gone on to state the evidence, out of which the motion to instruct arises.

We cannot notice that part of the return which relates to the evidence. The testimony is no part of the record in the court below. It is not, therefore, removable either by writ of error or certiorari. The statute authorizing a bill of exceptions does not extend to criminal cases; and if they were reached by the statute, no bill has been signed-The circumstance that the matter appears on the return, if it be not properly there, will not authorize us to notice it for the purpose of now expressing an opinion upon its merits.

This is, however, one reason why we should listen to the motion for continuing this cause on the civil side. We know enough of the cause to see that several grave questions may arise, which it may be desirable, on the part of the defendants, to have reviewed; but in relation to which, they might be embarrassed, and perhaps entirely defeated, if put to their remedy by certiorari from the court below. Without saying, therefore, whether we have the power to send down a record once removed by certiorari, except upon the statute which relates to felonies,- we grant the motion that this cause be carried down to the circuit.

Shall it go down to the circuit in the city and county of ¡New York ? Changing the venue, speaking technically, is out of the question. The course in criminal prosecutions, where a clear case is made out, is, to order a suggestion upon the record, that a fair and impartial trial cannot be had in the county where the offence is laid. A venire is then awarded to the sheriff of another county, and the cause tried there ; the indictment remaining unaltered as to the venue. What is shown to us as the foundation for such a suggestion? General expressions of belief are made in the affidavits ; but these cannot be regarded on either side. We must look to the facts. These are tokens of public disapprobation at the City Hall, in the course of *the former trials: the number of challenges; publications in newspapers; and an inclination to fix on the defendants as the cause of many pecuniary disappointments in the city. But we are by no means prepared to say, from these facts, that an impartial jury cannot be se lected here, especially under the qualifying circumstances of the case. The motion is supported by a single affidavit, made by one of the defendants. Mo disinterested citizen attests to any ground for the suggestion; and two of the defendants who move, have made no affidavit. As to the public expressions, it seems from a counter affidavit, that they were not entirely disapprobatory, but sometimes complimentary, especially towards one of the defendants. Publications in the newspapers have been favorable to both sides. We cannot believe, for a moment, that the inhabitants of this large city have been so much and so extensively excited, as to render a fair and impartial trial impossible or even improbable. The motion for a suggestion is, therefore denied.

Mr. Barker submits, on his own behalf, a motion, having a distinct object. He wishes us to order a trial at bar; and, at any rate, that he be tried separately from the other defendants; and by a struck jury. Granting either branch of his motion, would, in effect, separate him from the other defendants.

We think the indictment must go down to the circuit, as to all the defendants, including Mr. Barker; and upon the ordinary venire. The cause going there, the question of severance must be decided by the judge before whom the trial takes place. It is now the settled doctrine, that, the right of peremptory challenge being out of question, two or more defendants jointly indicted, are to be tried jointly or separately in the discretion of the court. Perhaps we might think, were the cause pending before us for trial, and the case presented as it now appears, that the defendants should be separately tried. The ends of justice may doubtless be materially affected by refusing a separate trial in some cases; and where the discretion confided to the judge is not, in the opinion of the bench, properly exercised, they may perhaps grant a new trial for that reason ; for it is a legal and not an arbitrary discretion. But we cannot now decide the point. We do not know how ^acts may aPPear to be at the circuit.

Woodworth, J.

There is no doubt of our power, upon a proper case, to send a criminal cause down for trial to a county other than that in which the venue is laid. Crimes, however, are essentially local. Hence the venue, as such, cannot be changed. ^[1] The place of trial must be altered by suggestion, and on clear proof that the cause-cannot be tried in the county where the offence is laid, with safety .to the rights of the defendant. The present motion rests on a single affidavit of one of the defendants; and, independent of the opposing affidavit, I cannot say I am satisfied there is any danger in a Mew York jury. . Allow the affidavit its full force, and draw every possible inference from it in favor of this branch of the motion, and I think it insufficient. It can hardly be a question, that out of the large and various population of this city, 12 men can be found with minds in a state of complete neutrality. There is less danger of a partial jury since the decision just pronounced, which excludes every one who has expressed an opinion; and opens the full means of ascertaining the fact, even by an appeal to the juror himself under oath. Besides, as we send the cause down on the civil side, it goes subject to ail the incidents of an ordinary action between party and party, so far forth as reviewing the proceedings before the circuit judge is concerned. Should errors intervene in the selection of a jury, the receipt of proofs, &c., they can be corrected on motion by the party grieved. There is no need of that consent and co-operation on the part of the circuit court, which would be necessary in an inferior tribunal, to warrant the revisal of a matter out of the record.

To decide now whether the evidence supported the indictment, would be to anticipate that it will be the same on the trial yet to take place. The difficulty may be obviated. The question may or may not arise there; and I *do not think it proper that we should examine and pass upon a point so entirely hypothetical, even supposing it to be properly before us on the return.

I concur with the chief justice in his remarks upon Mr. Barker’s motion; and particularly in the suggestion upon the question of severance. We do not consider the case before us, for the purpose of deciding what the judge should do in the exercise of that discretion which he undoubtedly possesses. But I clearly hold, that were I presiding at the trial of a criminal charge against persons jointly indicted, but wholly disconnected in the acts througn which they are sought to be convicted; on ascertaining that fact, I should deem it my duty to grant them separate trials. I state this, however, as a general proposition, without saying what this case is. Nor can we anticipate what it will turn out to be at the circuit.

^Attachment tium. iesti^mn Right of the ney'to remove causes by certi-

Sutherland, J., not having heard the argument, gave no opinion.

Maxwell, (district attorney,) moved that the defendants enter into the proper recognizances.

He also suggested, that owing to the new direction the cause was about to take, a difficulty might occur in coercing the attendance of witnesses at the circuit, if they should disobey a subpoena. He had been put to the necessity, on ,the former trial, of moving for and obtaining from the oyer and terminer, attachments against a number of unwilling witnesses; but was not aware that the circuit court possessed the power to grant that writ, for the purpose of compelling them to testify.

Sutherland, J. The statute, (sess. 47, ch. 325, s. 3,) authorizes the circuit court to attach witnesses who have disobeyed a subpoena. I have known the power conferred by that statute to be exercised for the purpose of bringing in the witness to testify.

Maxwell. There are other indictments pending at the °Jer and terminer, like those before the court, involving the same questions, and requiring the attendance of the *same witnesses. I submit whether I shall give these the same direction by issuing writs of certiorari, for their removal to this court.

Savage, Oh. J. You must take your own course on that subject. You have a right to remove the other causes or to try them where they are, as you shall think advisa ble.

The defendants who had prosecuted the certiorari, then appeared in court, and entered into recognizances; the form or amount of which was not questioned by the district attorney. ^(b)

He suggested that the sureties should justify

Savage, Oh. Justice, said this would have been required as a matter of course, had it been demanded in season. *But the sureties had gone from the bar, before the motion was made.

other decompelled to appear. How the what sentence to give.

Selden.. They aré the samé'sureties who were received without objection, in the dyer and terminer.

Maxwell did not farther press his motion for a justification; but he suggested'that thé'defendants should now plead to the indictment.

Selden. They' pleaded in the court below, ' Their plea stands on the record, which is removedand upon which the cause is to go down.

t Savage, Oh. J. I believe that is sufficient. Strictly, there need not be a new plea.

Woodworth, J. The dispute seems to be‘upon a matter of mere form. Is there any objection tó pléading de novo?

;. Selden. Hot in the least, .

He then pleaded not guilty,, for all the defendants except Barker, who" pleaded for* himself.

'Maxwell. Here are several* other defendants in this indictment, who did not'join'in the certiorari; and who are yet t0 tried. rp^g indictment is here as well in respect to them, as those who have' appeared and given sureties. The defendants who did not join in the writ should also appear, and'enter into recognizance, and put ih pleas.

Savage, Oh. J.. They are not here; and, therefore, cannot. now plead, ór give sureties." If they will not voluntarily appear, you can bring them upon a capias.

Maxwell suggested a difficulty which might arise, under organization of the judiciary, as to the mode of informing this court what sentence they should pass in cage -¡¡he defendants are convicted. The circuits generally *not being holden by any, member of the bench as formerly, how will the court be able to estimate the measure of punishment?

The Court intimated that they must have not only the , , , . • .. . < . record and postea, but the cncumstances m evidence must be laid before them, by a case, or in. some other way.

(A) a) 1 Roll. Abr. 534, (G.) pl. 2 id. pl. 3, &c. The King v. Holland, Aleyn, 14. S. C. Styles’ Rep. 84, S. C. id. 94, S. C. Bro. Record, 44, 46. Jurisdiction, 48. Bishop of Bristol v. Proctor, 1 Roll. Rep. 287. Fazacharly v Baldo, 1 Salk, 352; 6 Mod. 177, 8, S. C.

[1] It seems proper here to remark, that the venue may be changed, on motion of the public prosecutor, if it appears that a fair and impartial trial cannot be had in the county where the indictment was found. And this, although there has been no actual experiment made, by way of trying the cause, or even empannelling a jury in the county where the venue is laid. The People v. Webb, 1 Hill, 179. There is no fixed rule defining what shall not be received as proof of the fact that a fair and impartial trial cannot be had. Ib.; see The People v. Bodine, 7 Hill, 147.

In Illinois, a prisoner is entitled to a change of venue whenever, by petition verified by affidavit, he brings himself within the requisitions of the statute; and it is not within the discretion of the court to allow it or not. Clark v. The People, 1 Scam. Rep. 117; see also, McGoon v. little, 2 Gilman, 42. A change of venue may be awarded, in a criminal case, by consent, without requiring a petition or affidavit to be filed for that purpose. People v. Scates, 3 Scam. 351; see Davidson v. Wheeler, 1 Morris, 238. Where an indictment was found in one county of Illinois against several jointly, and the venue was changed to another county, on motion of one of the accused, without consent of the others, when he was tried, and afterwards the indictment was returned to the county where it was found, and the others held to answer, it was held that the proceedings were regular. Hunter v. The People, 1 Scam. 453.

In Indiana, a refusal to change the venue in a criminal case, cannot be assigned for error. Findley v. The State, 5 Blackf. 576; S. P. Spence v. The State, 8 Blackf. 201. An order of court changing the venue of an indictment, is conclusive of its own regularity, unless the contrary appear of record. McCauley v. United States, 1 Morris, 486.

The necessity of changing the venue, in any case, in order to secure an impartial trial, is not to depend upon the suggestion, or even the belief, of the defendant, but upon facts shown to the court, or admitted, sufficient to satisfy the court that the change is necessary to procure an impartial trial The State v. Burris, 4 Harring. 582.

The place of trial cannot be changed in a criminal case for the convenience of witnesses or parties, though it may be where a fair and impartial trial cannot be had in the proper county. People v. Harris, 4 Denio, 150. The practice in the state of New York has been the same since 1830 that it was before that time. Ib. Per Bronson, Ch. J. See Waterman’s Archbold's Cr. Practice and Pleading, vol. 1, p. 75.

(b) It was in this form:

Be it remembered, that on the 31st day of May, A. D., 1827, Jacob Barker, of the city of New York; J. C. and T. F. also of said city, personally appeared in the supreme court of judicature of the people of the state of New York, before the justices thereof; and acknowledged themselves to owe to the people of the state of New York, that is to say, the said Jacob Barker the sum of $10,000; and the said J. 0. and T. F. each the sum of $5,000, of good and lawful money of the state of New York, to be made and levied of their respective goods and chattels, lands and tenements, to the use of the people of the state of New York aforesaid, if the said Jacob Barker shall make default in the condition underwritten.

The conditon of the above recognizance is such, that if the above bounden Jacob Barker shall personally appear before the next circuit court to be holden in and for the city and county of New York, at the city hall of the city of New York, on the third Monday of June next, and from time to time thereafter during the continuance of the said circuit court, as said court shall direct; and also before the justices of the people of the state of New York of the supreme court of judicature of the same people, at the academy, in Utica, in the county of Oneida, on the first Monday of August next, and from time to time thereafter, and at such circuit court thereafter as the said court shall order and direct, to answer, and to do and receive what shall, by the said supreme court, be thenand there required in, of and concerning a certain record of indictment remaining in said supreme court against him, the said Jacob Barker, who was indicted together with George W. Brown, Mark Spencer, Mathew L. Davis, Thomas Vermilyea, Joseph G. Swift, Henry Eckford and William P. Rathbone ; and the said Jacob Barker shall not depart the said supreme court without leave, then the above recognizance to be void; otherwise to be and remain in full force and virtue.

Signed, JACOB BARKER,

J. C.

Taken and acknowledged in open T. F.

court, the 1st day of June, 1827.

Jas. Faelie, Clerk.

Case Details

Case Name: People v. Vermilyea

Court Name: New York Supreme Court

Date Published: May 15, 1827

Citation: 7 Cow. 108

Court Abbreviation: N.Y. Sup. Ct.