Opinion
No. 862.
Decided November 21, 1894.
1. Continuance — Bill of Exceptions — Practice on Appeal. — The refusal of a continuance will not be considered on appeal, unless a bill of exceptions was taken to the refusal of the court to grant the same.
2. Witness Indicted for Same Offense. — On appeal it is no ground for reversal that a witness who testified in the case was subsequently indicted for the same crime for which appellant was convicted.
3. Indicted Witness — Competency of. — Notwithstanding a party may be indicted for the same offense, he is nevertheless competent to testify in the case in behalf of the State until he is convicted, though he would not be competent to testify in behalf of a codefendant.
APPEAL from the District Court of Polk. Tried below before Hon. L.B. HIGHTOWER.
Appellant was indicted for the murder of Steve Small, by cutting him with a knife, and at his trial was convicted of murder of the first degree, the penalty being assessed at a life term in the penitentiary.
There is no statement of facts in the record.
No briefs on file.
Appellant was convicted of murder in the first degree, his punishment being assessed at a life term in the penitentiary.
A bill of exceptions was not reserved to the court's refusal to grant the application for a continuance, hence appellant's contention in this respect will not be revised.
Nor does it constitute, in this case, ground for reversal that one of the witnesses in the case was subsequently indicted for the same murder of which appellant was convicted. The record does not contain a statement of facts. The court charged fully the law in regard to the testimony of accomplices, and it is not verified that the witness was in fact indicted, as alleged in the motion for a new trial. Whether indicted or not, the witness would have been competent to testify in the case in behalf of the State. Pitner v. The State, 23 Texas Crim. App., 366. The inhibition would apply only when the witness is indicted for the same offense as the accused, and is offered in his behalf. Code Crim. Proc., art. 731.
The remaining questions can not be revised without the evidence, and that is not before us.
We find no error, and the judgment is affirmed.
Affirmed.
Judges all present and concurring.