Opinion
Nos. 21251 and 21265
Decided September 16, 1948.
Habeas corpus — Identity of person sought to be extradited — Open to judicial review by habeas corpus — Evidence disclosed request to extradite result of mistaken identity.
1. In habeas corpus proceedings, evidence established that relator was outside the jurisdiction of the state demanding relator's extradition when the crime for which extradition of relator was requested and that request to extradite relator was the result of mistaken identity.
2. The question of identity of the person sought to be extradited, with person described or identified by the affidavit and the warrant from the demanding state, was open to judicial review by habeas corpus.
IN HABEAS CORPUS: Court of Appeals for Cuyahoga county.
Mr. M.M. McCurdy and Mr. Walter Booth, for relator.
Mr. F.T. Cullitan, prosecuting attorney, for respondent.
The foregoing proceedings have been consolidated by order of this court, the first proceeding being an action in habeas corpus brought by the relator against the respondent, George Matowitz, chief of police et al., and the second action being brought by the relator by reason of the fact that he was removed to the custody of the sheriff of Cuyahoga county, Ohio.
While in the custody of the chief of police of Cleveland the relator signed a waiver of extradition and agreed to be returned voluntarily to the jurisdiction of the Tennessee courts. However, at the time of signing this waiver the relator, a minor 17 years of age, was represented by counsel who were not notified of the proceedings and relator claims to have been ignorant of the purpose and effect of the waiver. Counsel insist upon the right now to withdraw the waiver and the court grants that request.
Relator is one of two sons of Annie May Hogan. The relator's christian name is Ernest Lester who was born on April 8, 1931. His brother, whose real name is Clarence Lester, is now confined in the penitentiary in Tennessee under the name of Clarence Brown. He was born on February 27, 1928.
It is the claim of relator that he was not within the jurisdiction of the demanding state at the time it is alleged the crime was committed as set forth in the affidavit requesting relator's extradition.
The evidence is uncontradicted that relator was in the city of Cleveland working for the Cleveland Metal Bed Company from June 24 to July 13, inclusive, 1946. The evidence further discloses that the relator remained in Cleveland until some time in August 1946 before returning to Nashville, Tennessee.
The affidavit which accompanied the request for extradition signed by Charles A. Moore who filed the complaint against Clarence Lester for the alleged larceny of barber equipment from affiant's barber shop on July 18, 1946, stated that the porter was employed in the barber shop during the month of July 1946.
It is clear that the relator could not have been in the employ of the affiant during the whole of that period.
The request for extradition is for Clarence Lester. The relator is Ernest Lester. Therefore, the request is not for this relator who was outside the jurisdiction of the demanding state at the time the crime was committed for which extradition of relator is requested.
From the uncontraverted evidence we are convinced that this is a case of mistaken identity, and that Ernest Lester, a minor of 17 years of age and who was 15 years of age at the time the alleged crime was committed, is not the person described or identified by the affidavit and the warrant from the demanding state.
"The question of identity of a person held under a rendition warrant issued by the governor of the asylum state with the person described as the alleged fugitive in such warrant and requisition papers is always open to judicial review by habeas corpus, since such question is simply whether the warrant has been executed against the party named therein." 22 American Jurisprudence, 258, Extradition, Section 20, Identity of Accused. See numerous cases therein cited.
For these reasons this court is of the opinion that the writ should be allowed.
Writ allowed.
HURD, P.J., and SKEEL, J., concur.
MORGAN, J., not participating.