Alexander v. State, 260 Ark. 785, 545 S.W.2d 606 (1976)

Dec. 20, 1976 · Arkansas Supreme Court · CR 76-133
260 Ark. 785, 545 S.W.2d 606

Clance Sidney ALEXANDER v. STATE of Arkansas

CR 76-133

545 S.W. 2d 606

Opinion delivered December 20, 1976 (In Banc)

[Rehearing denied February 7, 1977.]

W. Palma Rainey, of Rubens, Rubens & Rainey, for appellant.

Jim Guy Tucker, Atty. Gen., by -.Joseph H. Purvis, Asst. Atty. Gen., for appellee.

George Rose Smith, Justice.

This capital felony case has not yet been tried. Two preliminary motions were filed, one asking that W. Palma Rainey be allowed to withdraw as appointed counsel and the other that all prosecuting attorneys, circuit judges, and circuit clerks be summoned to testify concerning the death penalty. The trial court denied both motions, its order reciting that the rulings are final for the purpose of appellate review or, alternatively, that the defendant should be allowed an interlocutory appeal.

*786Inasmuch as the case is still pending below, the appeal must be dismissed for want of a final judgment, a point which this court itself raises. H.E. McConnell & Son v. Sadle, 248 Ark. 1182, 455 S.W. 2d 880 (1970). The trial court’s attempt to enlarge our jurisdiction must fail, because the limitation of our jurisdiction to the review of final judgments and decrees is statutory. Ark. Stat. Ann. § 27-2101 (Supp. 1975).

Appeal dismissed.