State v. HenryState v. Henry
- Reporters:
- , ,
- Before:
- Per Curiam
Thе defendant has appealed from a conviction for aggravated battery by shooting the victim in the head during a verbal altercation late at night. The altercation was triggered by a near impact between the victim’s automobile and a group of five young male pedestrians, of whom the defendant was one, who were crossing the street at an intersection.
The case on review can be disposed of without a narration of the evidence as it appears in the appellate record. At the trial the basic issues were criminal intent and self-defense. The appellant’s seven specifications of error will be disposed of in the order of their importance.
Was the defendant denied his constitutional right to counsel because оf the incompetence of the attorney who represented him at the second trial? The factors relied upon as proof of incompеtence are that the lawyer could not have given adequate representation because he had not participated in the preliminary hearing, or in the first trial, or in the pretrial conference prior to the first trial; that he had only a month to prepare the defense; that he did not object to the introduction of an exhibit; that he failed to call a defense witness; and in a trial colloquy the defendant was made to appear ignorant and stupid in front of the jury. The record shows that none of these assigned reasons or all combined are sufficient to establish incompetence as dеfined in Winter v. State, 210 Kan. 597, 502 P. 2d 733.
Did the district attorney systematically and purposely exclude black jurors so that defendant, a black man, was denied his constitutional right to be tried by a jury of his peers? The trial was to an *311 all-white jury and it appears that peremptory challenges resulted in removing the black members from the panel. The rеcord fails to show any such conduct which invades any constitutional or other right of the defendant. Something more must appear to support the clаim beyond the mere fact that no black venireman survived the peremptory challenges. The fact that the state by exercise of peremptory challenges has excluded all members of a race or class from the jury does not alone deprive the accused of his right to a fair trial. (State v. King, [47,989] 219 Kan. 508, 548, P. 2d 803.) A nearly identical contention was resolved against a defendant in State v. Walker, 217 Kan. 186, 535 P. 2d 924, where it was said:
“The defendant in a criminal action is not necessarily entitled to be tried by a jury with even a single member of his race thereon. (State v. Reed, 214 Kan. 562, 520 P. 2d 1314; State v. Clift, 202 Kan. 512, 449 P. 2d 1006, cert. den. 396 U. S. 910, 24 L. Ed. 2d 186, 90 S. Ct. 225; and Lee v. State, 204 Kan. 361, 461 P. 2d 743.) Furthermore, systematic or purposeful exclusion of members of a race from jury service may not merely be assumed or asserted— it must be established by proof. . . (p. 190.)
Was the defendant denied a speedy trial? Appellant’s contention is without merit. The second trial commenced on April 15, 1974, after the first trial had resulted in a hung jury on November 15, 1973, well within the 180 days prescribed by
Was there failure by the state tо disclose the existence of an exculpatory statement in the state’s possession? No, on the contrary the state did disclose the fact of thе statement at the pretrial conference to counsel representing the defendant at the time. The record on pretrial conference is incorporated in the appellate record. Its purpose was for “discovery by the defendant.” After specifically disclosing the fact of the statement the state agreed to show its file to defendant’s counsel. This is all the state was required to do. It had no obligation to pursue later counsеl for defendant and hand *312 him a copy of the statement the existence of which was already disclosed and availability of which was assured. Presumably trial сounsel knew of and read the statement, and for reasons of his own elected not to call the witness. The statement itself is in the record and in any event nо prejudice is apparent from any irregularities in this regard. Here again, this point was not raised in the district court and is presented here for the first time.
Appellant .also claims that defeabs in the preliminary prosecution procedures, deprived him of due process. The circumstances are аs follows: Complaint was first filed with the magistrate on December 29,1972. Defendant was arrested and produced in court on January 3, 1973, when hearing was set for January 11. Thе hearing was continued at the request of the state to February 1 because the complaining witness was in the hospital recovering from brain surgery. On February 1, thе state still not being able to produce the complaining witness, dismissed the complaint “without prejudice.” The defendant was free on bond all this time. On March 21, 1973, thе state refiled the complaint. Hearing was scheduled for March 29. There was one continuance, by agreement and preliminary hearing was held on April 19, 1973. The defendant was bound over to the district court for trial.
While appellant points out time irregularities in continuances under
“The object of a preliminary examination is not to determine guilt or innooence of the crime charged. The examining magistrate has no power to acquit but only the power to discharge from custody. Such discharge is not a bar to another examination. . . .” (p. 671.)
We disagree with appellant’s argument .and hold against his position. But, aside from its merits, there is another reason why appellant’s claim сannot be upheld.
Was the verdict supported by the evidence? An examination of the evidence, in the record shows that there was unimpeached testimony from which the jury could conclude beyond a reasonable doubt .that the shooting of the victim in the head wiith a .22 caliber revolver was with criminal intent and not in self-defense. There was testimony by defense witnesses supporting defendаnts version of the affair. The weight of the evidence and the issue of reasonable doubt are for the jury and this court, on the reoord, cannot disturb the verdiсt.
Appellant’s last point (first in his statement of points) is that a diagram, drawn by a police officer, depicting the position of the complaining witness’s automobile, after the shooting, was improperly admitted in evidence. Contrary to appellant’s contentions the reoord shows that there was sufficient foundation testimony, that the exhibit was relevant and properly received in evidence. Furthermore, it was received without objection by defendant’s counsel.
The judgment of the district court is affirmed.