Monts v. State, 233 Ark. 816, 349 S.W.2d 350 (1961)

Sept. 18, 1961 · Arkansas Supreme Court · 5002
233 Ark. 816, 349 S.W.2d 350

Monts v. State.

5002

349 S. W. 2d 350

Opinion delivered September 18, 1961.

[Rehearing denied October 16, 1961.]

*817No brief filed for appellant.

J. Frank Holt, Attorney General, by Jack Holt, Jr., Asst. Attorney G-eneral, for appellee.

Carleton Harris, Chief Justice.

Appellant was charged with feloniously damaging a dwelling house in the city of Little Rock by means of dynamite, or other explosive. On trial, he was convicted as charged in the Information, and his punishment fixed by the jury at five years imprisonment in the state penitentiary. From the judgment so entered, appellant brings this appeal. In his motion for a new trial, appellant sets out eight alleged errors as the basis for asking the Court to set aside the verdict of the jury, and to grant him another trial. These contentions are as follows:

“1. The verdict of the jury is contrary to law.

2. The verdict of the jury is contrary to the evidence.

3. The verdict of the jury is contrary to both the law and the evidence.

4. The Court erred in overruling defendant’s Motion to Quash the Information filed by the Prosecuting Attorney.

5. The Court erred in overruling defendant’s Motion to transfer the cause of action to the Juvenile Court of Pulaski County, Arkansas.

6. The Court erred in permitting police officers to testify to the admissions of the defendant when it was shown by the evidence that the defendant’s statements were given involuntarily.

7. The Court erred in overruling defendant’s Motion for a Directed Yerdict.

*8188. The Court erred in giving all of the State’s Instructions. ’ ’

No brief has been filed by appellant in support of the position taken, but we proceed to a discussion of each assertion made in the Motion, though not necessarily in the order set out.

Assignment Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 7 relate to the sufficiency of the evidence, and the court’s refusal to direct a verdict of not guilty. Monts was convicted of violating <§> 41-4237, Ark. Stats. (1947).1 On the night of February 9th, 1960, the home of Cartelyou and Juanita Walls, at 1500 S. Valentine Street in Little Rock, was damaged by an explosion. Henry B. Heiberger and Richard J. Poppleton, Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, assigned to the Bureau Laboratory in Washington and specializing in explosives, testified that the explosion was caused by either a large quantity of black powder (a low order explosive) or dynamite (a high order explosive). Appellant was subsequently arrested and confessed his participation in the crime. We have held that the extrajudicial confession of a defendant, accompanied by proof that the offense charged was actually committed by someone, will warrant a conviction.' See Ezell v. State, 217 Ark. 94, 229 S. W. 2d 32, and cases cited therein. However, in the case presently before us, there is also additional corroborating proof. Earzie T. Cunningham, who lived in the vicinity of the Walls’ house, testified positively that he observed Monts and another man, about 11 p.m., going to the Walls’ home on the night of the bombing.

“I observed Monts. I didn’t know who it was driving the car, I turned the corner. The light flashed on *819him. I knew it was Monts. He proceeded then to the intersection of 15th and Valentine and a man joined him who I didn’t know, and proceeded to the Walls’ home, which I thought they was going to enter, but didn’t, and I then flipped my cigarette away and saw him run back up the street. I don’t know which way the other man went. I went on in the house.”

Cunningham testified that the two men stayed for about a minute before running away, and that two or three minutes later, he heard the explosion. We hold that the evidence was sufficient to sustain the conviction.

It is next contended that the court was in error in overruling appellant’s motion to quash the Information filed by the prosecuting attorney, appellant maintaining that the charge by Information is a violation of the provisions of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The authority of the prosecuting attorney to charge persons with crime by Information is authorized in Amendment 212 to our state Constitution. Section 1 reads as follows:

“All offenses heretofore required to be prosecuted by indictment may be prosecuted either by indictment by a grand jury or information filed by the Prosecuting Attorney. ’ ’

In Penton v. State, 194 Ark. 503, 109 S. W. 2d 131, and Brocklehurst v. State, 195 Ark. 67, 111 S. W. 2d 527, we sustained the validity of Amendment 21, and held that the provisions of the amendment were not void as repugnant to Article 5 of the Constitution of the United States. In Gaines v. Washington, 277 U. S. 81, the United States Supreme Court held that prosecution by Information instead of by indictment is not a violation of the Federal Constitution.

It is also asserted that the court erred in overruling appellant’s motion to transfer the cause of action to the juvenile court of Pulaski County. As grounds for the motion, appellant asserted that he was 17 years of age, *820and a high, school student. Section 45-241, Supp. (Section 1 of Act 263 of 1953), provides:

“When any child under fifteen (15) years of age is charged in the Circuit Courts of this State with any felony, the Circuit Court or the Judge thereof where such charge is pending, may, at his discretion order and direct that the criminal charge and the file and record thereof be transferred to the Juvenile Court of the County where the charge is pending, for such disposition as the Juvenile Court may adjudge and determine. Any bail or appearance bond given for the appearance of such child in Circuit Court shall continue in effect in the Juvenile Court.”

Of course, appellant’s age at the time of the filing of the motion was 17, and in addition, it will be noted that the matter of ordering the transfer is left to the discretion of the Circuit Court.3 The aforementioned statute is somewhat in conflict with § 45-224 (Section 10, Act 215 of 1911), which provides that where a child under 21 years of age is arrested upon a warrant issued out of any of the courts of the state, “the judge of such court may, in his discretion, if he believes that the said child is either a dependent or delinquent child, dismiss the charge pending in such court and transfer such child to the juvenile court, there to be dealt with according to the provisions and spirit of this act.” It is not necessary to determine whether Act 263 of 1953 repeals by implication the apparent conflict contained in Act 215 of 1911, for, as noted, even under the provisions of the earlier statute, the matter of transfer is left to the discretion of the court. Under the facts and circumstances in this case, we find no abuse of discretion in refusing to grant the motion.

Appellant asserts that the confession given was involuntary, and the court erred in permitting the officers to testify to the admissions made. After hearing testimony relating the fact of the explosion, the damage *821occasioned thereby, and tbe probable canse of tbe explosion, tbe court retired to chambers, out of tbe presence of tbe jury, and proof was taken relative to tbe confession given, and admissions made. Monts stated that be was arrested on tbe Tuesday following tbe bombing, and taken to tbe Police Department, where be was questioned by several officers. He said that be was threatened by Special Agent Melford C. Runnells of tbe Federal Bureau of Investigation, and was struck on tbe temple by tbe agent with a steno pad; that one of tbe city detectives “kneed” him. Appellant testified that when food was finally offered him, it was not acceptable. “Well, it was some bologna and some non-flavored grits. I don’t like bologna.” He stated that be was questioned on Tuesday and Wednesday, and on Wednesday night was released and sent borne. His parents were permitted to visit with him on Wednesday, prior to bis release. Monts was re-arrested about noon tbe next day and returned to tbe city jail. He testified that be requested counsel, “which I didn’t get;” that Runnells and Officer Green of tbe Little Rock Police Department threatened him, and a third officer in tbe room struck him. “I think tbe other one bit me, I am not sure.” On Thursday evening, tbe prosecuting attorney went to tbe jail and talked with Monts, tbe latter admitting bis part in tbe crime.4 At this point, appellant’s testimony is somewhat confusing, inasmuch as be testified that be made no admissions until talking to tbe prosecuting attorney. Further, “Had anybody hit you? A. No, sir.” Admittedly, be made no request for an attorney at tbe time be was being questioned by tbe prosecuting attorney, nor were any threats made by anyone present. Monts stated that be was tired and sleepy while being questioned, and bad bad no occasion to sleep. Runnells, along with Little Rock city officers Robert Green and A. L. Halcomb testified that tbe confession was entirely voluntary.5 Tbe proof reflected *822that Bunnells asked the questions, and the other officers, along with Special Agent Webb of the F. B. I., were present. According to the evidence, Monts related that he met a Negro man, who had the dynamite; he (Monts) knew that it was an explosive, and went with the other to set it off; struck a match up against the brick foundation, the match breaking; his companion then took a match from a box and lighted the fuse, and he (Monts) ran. Bunnells stated that he asked the motive, and was told that appellant “thought if he did this, it would cause some commotion, and Cartelyou would be able to get some donations and money from up North, and he never could specify where or when or anything about it. ’ ’ The officers stated that Monts was not struck, threatened, or mistreated in any manner, and that no request was made for an attorney. O. W. Gibson, pastor of White Memorial Methodist Church, testified that he visited the appellant at the jail on Friday, and that the left side of appellant’s face was partially swollen. He stated that Monts related to him that the swollen face was caused by being struck by one of the officers, but that appellant was unable to distinguish between the federal agents and city detectives. The court held that the question of whether the confession was voluntarily given was a question of fact to be determined by the jury.

Upon returning to the courtroom, the aforementioned officers testified before the jury, reiterating that the confession was voluntary. Bunnells testified that he told Monts before any statement was made-that he was entitled to a lawyer, but there was no such request. The agent stated that no promises of any nature were made, or physical violence used at any time. The officers testified relative to the admissions made by appellant concerning his participation in the crime, and Bunnells stated that, in addition to the statement heretofore quoted as to motive, Monts also made some comment to the effect that his associate was to give him $50 for his part in the crime. Earzie Cunningham testified as ear*823lier related in our discussion of whether the evidence was sufficient to sustain a conviction. Monts did not testify before the jury, but the Beverend Gibson repeated the testimony given before the court in chambers. However, Special Agent T. B. Webb of the F. B. I., in rebuttal testimony, disputed the evidence given by Gibson. Webb stated that he, with another special agent, Thomas J. Norton, talked to Gibson and made some notes of the conversation; that Gibson had said he (Gibson) had observed Monts’ head, but saw no marks, though appellant had told the minister that he had been kneed in the side by an officer. According to Webb, Gibson stated that he then asked appellant if the F. B. I. was present, and Monts replied that no F. B. I. agents were present, only police officers.

We think the court acted properly in submitting the issue of the voluntariness of the confession to the jury. In McClellan v. State, 203 Ark. 386, 156 S. W. 2d 800, this Court said:

“In such cases the practice approved by us, which was followed in the instant ease, is for the Court to hear the testimony in the absence of the jury as to the circumstances under which the confession was given, and if there is a substantial question as to whether it was freely and voluntarily made, to submit that question of fact to the jury, after admonishing the jury to disregard the confession unless it was found to have been voluntarily made.”

It certainly would not appear that the testimony of the officers relative to the admissions made by Monts, should have been excluded because of appellant’s claim that he had been mistreated. Of course, it is not unusual for a defendant who has admitted participation in a crime, to subsequently contend that he was mistreated by those conducting the examination. While several officers participated in the investigation and interrogation, it appears that Bunnells conducted most of the questioning. The record reveals that he had served with the F. B. I. for about ten years, and was working on the *824bombing case at tbe request of tbe Little Rock Police Department. Certainly tbis officer was familiar witb tbe fact that a confession obtained tbrongb coercion, threats, or duress, is inadmissible; also, that a defendant is entitled to an attorney if be so desires, and Runnells testified that be so advised Monts before any statements were made. Tbe Little Rock officers had also been connected witb tbe department for a long number of years— Halcomb for seventeen, and Green for fifteen. Against their statements were those of tbe appellant himself, and tbe Reverend Gibson, and a portion of the latter’s testimony consisted only of what be bad been told by Monts. Monts’ testimony (before tbe court) that at tbe time be made tbe oral statement to the prosecuting attorney, be bad bad no occasion to sleep, and was sleepy, is somewhat puzzling, in view of tbe fact that appellant bad gone borne witb bis father about 8:30 p.m. tbe night before, and was not re-arrested until noon the following day.

There was no error in allowing tbe testimony of tbe officers relative to tbe admissions made by appellant to go to tbe jury.6 Tbe court instructed tbe jury at length relative to whether tbe confession was voluntarily made,7 *825and the instruction was entirely correct, and in accord with our cases. Let it also be borne in mind that, aside from the confession, there was the independent evidence of Earzie Cunningham that he observed the defendant at the Walls’ home — saw him run away from the premises, and then heard the explosion.

Appellant also contends that the court erred in all of the State’s instructions given, but appellant did not make any specific objection to any of such instructions; an examination of same reveals that none are inherently erroneous. In Rutledge v. State, 222 Ark. 504, 262 S. W. 2d 650, we said:

“We find nothing in the instruction that would mislead or confuse the jury to the prejudice of appellant. It was not inherently wrong. Appellant made only a general objection. It was his duty, by a specific objection, to point out to the court any vice or error in this instruction in order to afford the trial court an opportunity to make corrections if necessary. This he failed to do.”

Finding no reversible error, the judgment is affirmed.