Watson v. Moniteau County

53 Mo. 133 | Mo. | 1873

Napton, Judge,

delivered the opinion of the court.

The only question in this case is as to the propriety or legality of an item in a bill of costs in a capital case for the board and lodging of a petit jury during the trial. The court ordered the jury to be kept together during the trial and not allowed to separate, and to be provided with board and lodging. There is, it seems, no express provision in the statute in relation to such an expense, though there is no question of the power of the court to make such an order, nor is there any controversy in regard to the liability of this County for the proper costs of the trial in this case. It does not appear from the record how the case resulted, whether in acqnital or conviction, and it is conceded that Moniteau County is responsible for the costs, but it is denied that this item is properly included in the bill of costs.

In the case of Commissioners vs. Hall, 7 Watts, Gibson, C. J., held a county liable for the expenses of boarding and lodging a jury — although in Pennsylvania, as here, there was no provision in the statute concerning such expense. He considered such expenditures, like that of fuel and lights, incidental to the holding of a court and raising an implied obligation on the part of the County. And the 19th and 20th sec. tions of our statutes, concerning costs in criminal cases, clearly provides, that Cole County (where the case was tried on change venue from Moniteau County) is not liable.

It seems from the record in this case, that the entire bill of costs was certified by the ■ Judge against Moniteau County, and all the items paid except this one. There is, therefore, no point raised as to the liability of the State.

Judgment affirmed.

The other Judges concur.