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32 Tex. 71

Nelson v. State

Texas Supreme Court

Decided July 1, 1869

Texas Supreme Court · decided 1869-07-01

Tried below before the lion. A. J. Evans. Dennis Eelson and Joseph Young, the appellants, were jointly indicted at the Spring term, 1869, of the District Court for Falls county, for the murder of Franklin Wallace—• Eelson being charged with the actual perpetration of the act, and Young as an aider and abettor.

Decided 1869-07-01

Lindsay, J.

¶1There is no judgment appearing in the transcript of the record in this case. Nor does it appear from the *74record, why the judgment was not entered upon the return of the verdict of the jury, after allowing the time prescribed by law for a motion in arrest of judgment, and a motion for a new trial; But, as by Article 3151 of the Criminal Code, Paschal’s Digest, the judgment of the court may be entered at the succeeding term, if it has not been entered, this court, as it seems, may proceed to dispose of the case upon the appeal, as it now appears in the transcript of the record.

¶2The court thinks there is no error in the charge of the court. Nor is it shown there was any such tampering with the jury (as was attempted to be shown by the affidavits) as to vitiate the verdict. For aught that really appears, the prisoners had a fair and impartial trial.

¶3In examining the evidence, the court cannot but regard this homicide as a most inexcusable murder, deserving the extreme penalty of the law, not only to the actual slayer of Franklin Wallace, but of his compeer in guilt. From the facts stated, this guard ” of the slayer was as deeply implicated in the transaction as the actual slayer, and his conduct was greatly aggravated from his position towards the parties at the time, as the guard ” of the slayer, and so appointed to act for the express pm’pose of preventing this tragical occurrence.

¶4The court is of opinion no injustice has been done to the prisoners by tlie verdict of the jury. The judgment of the court, therefore, overruling the motion of the prisoners for a new trial, is affirmed.

¶5Affirmed.

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