Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

124 La. 711

State v. Varnado

Supreme Court of Louisiana

Decided November 15, 1909

Supreme Court of Louisiana · decided 1909-11-15

Ellis, Judge. Will Varnado and another were tried for a capital offense, and the jury was discharged without verdict. From'a judgment denying a motion to discharge defendants on the ground that they had been placed in jeopardy, they appeal.

Cited by 4 later decisions — most recently May 1979

4 state decisions

Relies on People v. Hunckeler · 46 La. Ann. 773 - Succession of Bey

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Affirmed · Decided 1909-11-15

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

PROVOSTY, J.

¶1After the jury had been impaneled and sworn, and the indictment read to them, they were discharged without verdict rendered, owing to the judge being ill and not likely to be well enough for several days to hold court. Defendants now claim that they were put in jeopardy by said mistrial, and cannot be put in jeopardy a second time, and should be discharged. It is well recognized that there has been no jeopardy when the discharge of the jury has been from necessity. State v. Robinson, 46 La. Ann. 773, 15 South. 146. And it is clear that there is such necessity when, as in the present case, the trial being for a capital offense, the jury cannot be allowed to separate, and would have to be kept together indefinitely to await the recovery of the judge. 12 Cyc. 271; People v. Hunckeler, 48 Cal. 334. No provision has been made by our law for some one else to take the place of the judge in such a case.

¶2Judgment affirmed.

/124/la/711 · .json · Public domain